Ilaria Casai

Ilaria Casai was born in Pisa in 1994.
She began studying operatic singing at the age of 13 under the guidance of mezzo-soprano Annamaria Guarducci. After completing her classical secondary education, in 2018 she graduated with top marks from the undergraduate programme in opera singing at the “Mascagni” Institute in Livorno, studying with Graziano Polidori. In 2021, she obtained her postgraduate diploma in opera singing with highest honours at the “Cherubini” Conservatoire in Florence.

In 2021, she also completed a second-level Master’s degree in opera singing at the “Pollini” Conservatoire in Padua. Alongside her formal studies, since 2016 she has studied with soprano Alida Berti, and since June 2020 she has further refined her technique with soprano Mariella Devia and soprano Alexia Voulgaridou. She has attended masterclasses led by Marco Balderi, Alida Berti, Fiorenza Cedolins, Alessandro Corbelli, Mariella Devia, Hugo De Ana, Leonardo De Lisi, Angelo De Sanctis, Angelo Michele Errico, Augusto Fornari, Donato Renzetti, Giuseppe Sabbatini, Roberto Scandiuzzi and Aldo Tarabella.

She has performed as a soloist in the following sacred works: The Ceremony of Carols and Te Deum by Britten; Chichester Psalms by Bernstein; Te Deum by Charpentier; Gloria by Vivaldi; Requiem and Litaniae Lauretanae by Mozart; Exsultate, jubilate by Mozart; a concert in memory of the genius of Ennio Morricone; Requiem by Fauré; Stabat Mater by Pergolesi; Stabat Mater by Silvano Pieruccini; and the Mass by Ciro Belloni (world première).

In 2018, she was a finalist and scholarship winner at the International Competition in Alcamo (PA). She regularly performs in chamber music recitals at the Domus Mazziniana in Pisa.

She has made her debut in the following operas and/or reduced versions of operas at institutions and opera houses such as the Fondazione Teatro Verdi in Pisa, Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Messina, Teatro Duse in Bologna, Teatro Gentile in Fabriano and numerous musical associations: Le nozze di Figaro (Susanna); Don Giovanni (Zerlina and Donna Anna); L’elisir d’amore (Giannetta); Gianni Schicchi (Ciesca and Lauretta); Suor Angelica (Suor Genoveffa and Prima Cercatrice); Rita (Rita); Die Zauberflöte (Second Lady); Il segreto di Susanna (Susanna); The Telephone (Lucy); La serva padrona (Serpina); Il barbiere di Siviglia (Berta); Rigoletto (Gilda); La traviata (Annina); Cavalleria rusticana (Lola); Il re pastore (Tamiri).

In July 2024, she took part in the production L’opera da 10 soldi at the Fortezza Vecchia in Livorno, in collaboration with Teatro Goldoni in Livorno, performing the roles of Micaëla (Carmen) and Liù (Turandot).

In October 2024, she was a finalist and awarded the special prize “Manuel Antolini Scholarship” at the International Competition of 19th- and 20th-century Italian chamber music “Elsa Respighi” in Verona.

In November 2024, she performed the role of Annina in the renowned Traviata degli Specchi at Teatro Verdi in Pisa and Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi, conducted by Maestro Nir Kabaretti and directed by Maestro Henning Brockhaus.

In March 2025, she performed Giannetta at Teatro Verdi in Pisa as part of the 2025/2026 season, conducted by Maestro M. Cialdi and directed by Maestro Andrea Chiodi.

In July 2025, she made her debut in the role of Ines in Il trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi at the Sarzana Opera Festival (SP).

In September 2025, she made her debut in the role of Serpina in La serva padrona by Paisiello at Teatro Verdi in Pisa, as part of the “Musica Perduta” festival.