Carlo Balzaretti began his musical studies at the age of four with Franca Balzaretti, graduating in Piano and Composition at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan. He began his concert activity at a very early age, giving numerous piano recitals, participating in RAI television broadcasts, recording CDs and playing a significant role in the Italian classical music scene. Winner of first prizes at various national and international competitions, most notably the Maria Canals Prize in Barcelona in 1982, he was chosen to represent Italy in 1986 at the Eurovision Young Musicians contest in Copenhagen (Denmark). He also represented his country in 1989 and 1990 at the Concerts for Europe organised by the European Economic Community. In 1993, he made his debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington. The influential Washington Post said: “Pianist Carlo Balzaretti proved to be a fine soloist […] He tantalized the audience with a solid Mozartian technique and an intelligent conception of the work”. He has performed all over Europe, Asia and the United States, most notably at the International Mozart Festival 2004, GOG Genoa, Salle Gaveau (Paris), Ass. Pro Musicians (Geneva), the Santander Festival, the Granada Festival, Milan, Brussels, Rey Concert Hall (Istanbul), the National Concert Hall in Taipei (Taiwan), Wigmore Hall (London), the International Festival of Toledo, the Sanremo Symphonic Orchestra Season and the F. Liszt Festival (Bellagio), among others.