Antonio Salernitano
Maestro Antonio Salernitano was born in Naples, where he began his dance training at the prestigious Ballet School of the Teatro di San Carlo. He graduated under the guidance of the renowned ballet mistress Bianca Gallizia.
While still a student, he joined productions with the Teatro di San Carlo Ballet Company, gaining valuable stage experience from his fourth year of study. After graduating in 1970, he became a permanent member of the company, and in 1971—just one year later—he was promoted to Soloist. He held this position until 1997, performing in the theatre’s complete ballet and opera repertoire across Italy and internationally.
That same year, he was awarded the prestigious Silver Oak Award (Rovere d’Argento), becoming the youngest Soloist in Italy to receive this distinction.
Throughout his distinguished career, he refined his artistry with some of the world’s most celebrated ballet masters and choreographers, including Sparemblec, Pistoni, Beriozov, Gay, Prebil, Kovacev, Vassiliev, Fascilla, Rudolf Nureyev, Messerer, Landi, Roland Petit, Alonso, and Nunez. As a Principal Dancer, he performed leading roles alongside legendary artists such as Carla Fracci, Ekaterina Maximova, Savignano, Dessutter, Piolet, and Kozlova.
Alongside his career at Teatro di San Carlo, he was regularly invited as a Guest Principal Dancer by major Italian ballet companies and theatres, establishing himself as one of the leading figures in the national dance scene.
Since 1997, Maestro Salernitano has devoted his career to teaching classical ballet, continuously developing academic methodology and promoting excellence in dance education. As Regional Director of AICS Campania for Dance, he has created and organised numerous prestigious events, including Premio Coreografico per Maggio dei Monumenti, Danza sul Mare, Natale Insieme, Maschere Ballerine, and Danser Avec Nous.
He has also conceived and directed important seminars in Classical Ballet Technique and Methodology, collaborating extensively with the Italian National Academy of Dance (Accademia Nazionale di Danza). His work as a choreographer has flourished through numerous theatrical productions, including collaborations with Associazione Agorà Arte.
Today, Maestro Antonio Salernitano continues to inspire new generations of dancers through professional workshops, masterclasses, and seminars. He also serves as Artistic Director of prestigious national dance competitions, including Premio Napoli in Danza and Premio Scugnizzo per Danza.
During his remarkable career, he has received three Lifetime Achievement Awards, recognising his outstanding artistic and educational contribution to the world of dance. His name is permanently included among the great artists of the Teatro di San Carlo, featured in a commemorative publication by Guida Editori celebrating the theatre’s most distinguished performers.