Michele Bonanno

Mahler 6 in 1979 - Bonanno 3rd from left

Michele Bonanno, principal trumpet of the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, died on October 27 aged 44. He studied at the Conservatory "Bellini" in Palermo, Sicily, with Antonino Bitonto. Even as a young player he was noted for the quality of his sound and his many solo successes, and after an early career in orchestral and chamber music he took the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana principal trumpet post in Palermo in 1986. Since then he has also performed many times as soloist with the orchestra. The orchestra’s programme was suspended following Bonnano’s death as a mark of respect.

Michele Bonanno was married with two daughters. The orchestra’s website says that his sudden death has left an overwhelming void both emotionally and artistically, and speaks of someone who was not only a fine musician and a serious and well-prepared professional, but also a kind and sensitive colleague. Leonardo Maniscalco adds: “I remember his beautiful sound and his quiet smile. And this is sufficient because my heart feels itself broken for his sudden death.”

Photo note:
The bottom photo shows Michele Bonanno in the trumpet section for a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 6 directed by Gabriele Ferro in 1979: from the left, Michele Tullio, Gioacchino Giuliano, Michele Bonanno, Antonino Bitonto, Lorenzo Di Marco, Leonardo Maniscalco, Vincenzo Romano.

Websites:
Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana - home page
Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana - Bonanno page (in Italian)

Sources: Leonardo Maniscalco and Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana