bio
Isabella Fabbri is one of the most innovative saxophonists and composers on the international music scene. She performs mainly as a soloist, presenting both classical repertoire and her own original compositions. Her cross-genre music seamlessly blends acoustic and electronic sounds, drawing inspiration from the spiritual wisdom of diverse cultures around the world — an immersive musical experience that always carries a deeper message.
On the classical side, Isabella has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious theaters and concert halls, including Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Flagey in Brussels, Arts Center in Seoul, CENART in Mexico City, as well as in international music festivals, counting Biennale Musica in Venice, Festival MITO in Milan, George Enescu Festival in Bucharest, Música Nova Festival in São Paulo. She collaborated with Filarmonica del Teatro alla Scala of Milan, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia of Rome, Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice of Venice, Orchestra del Teatro San Carlo of Naples, Orchestra del Teatro Regio of Turin, European Contemporary Orchestra, working with notorious conductors such as Riccardo Chailly, Antonio Pappano, Wayne Marshall, Myung-Whun Chung and collaborating with international composers like Peter Eötvös, Ivan Fedele, Michael Nyman. She also performs in duo with harpist Floraleda Sacchi.
At the same time, Isabella ventures into new musical territories through her original compositions, pushing the boundaries of genres. As the founder of CA’ NOVA artistic house, a creative music production studio set in the countryside near Bologna, she composes and produces her works in a space dedicated to artistic innovation. Her discography includes her debut album Rainbow, inspired by Hindu culture and presented at Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan, as well as her latest project, Elementa, an album rooted in Shamanic traditions, which she recently premiered at the Ozora Festival in Hungary. She also performs in duo with multi-instrumentalist Damiano Della Torre.
Yanagisawa, D'Addario, BG France international endorsed artist, she is currently Professor of Saxophone at the Vibo Valentia Conservatory of Music in Italy and she conducts masterclasses both in Italy and abroad.
Isabella began studying saxophone under the guidance of Marco Gerboni at the Conservatory of her hometown, Ferrara, where she earned a diploma in classical saxophone, then a master's degree in chamber music, graduating cum laude. Additionally, she attained a master's degree in classical saxophone, cum laude, under the direction of Mario Marzi at the Conservatory of Milan. She furthered her musical education in France with Philippe Geiss at the Conservatory of Strasbourg, obtaining a specialization diploma in saxophone performance, while also studying electronic music with Tom Mays. Moreover, she participated in numerous masterclasses led by renowned saxophonists, including Claude Delangle, Jean-Marie Londeix, Vincent David, Jean-Denis Michat, Arno Bornkamp, Federico Mondelci, among others. She also studied modern singing with Viviana Corrieri at the Scuola di Musica Moderna in Ferrara. Graduating cum laude in musicology from the University of Pavia under the guidance of Fabrizio Della Seta, Isabella simultaneously specialized in music cognition (psychology, pedagogy and neuroscience of music) at the Teatro alla Scala Academy in Milan, mentored by Carlo Delfrati and Tomaso Vecchi. Ultimately, she obtained a PhD in arts with distinction from the University of Lisbon, working with José Bogalheiro.