Born in Italy, Claudio Vena could easily be called one of Canada's most versatile, accomplished musicians. As a conductor, composer-arranger and recording artist, Mr. Vena has delighted audiences and critics alike, around the world Claudio Vena was a founding member of the twice JUNO nominated Quartetto Gelato (recordings include: Quartetto Gelato, Rustic Chivalry and Aria Fresca). Recordings and concert repertoire for this renowned quartet are highlighted with the compositional and arranging talent of Claudio. "...Che Gelida Manina...This is not only amazing performing but the scoring, now reduced to viola cello and oboe goes beyond clever to tour de force. Vena...is an astonishing brilliant arranger." Stephen Pedersen - HALIFAX MAIL-STAR Claudio has held conducting posts with the Toronto production of Miss Saigon, the Huronia Symphony and the Hart House Orchestra (University of Toronto). In addition, he has made numerous guest appearances with orchestras across Canada working with such artists as internationally acclaimed baritone Louis Quilico, Canadian guitarist Norbert Kraft, lyric tenor John McDermott and violinist Barry Shiffman of the St. Lawrence String Quartet. "...the Georgian Bay Symphony was a well tuned, disciplined musical instrument under guest conductor Claudio Vena" Phil McNichol - THE SUN TIMES In addition to his work on stage, he has recorded a CD with Louis Quilico for which he wrote the arrangements and conducted the orchestra and chorus. " (Ricordi D'Italia)......skilfully arranged and conducted by Claudio Vena" William Littler - TORONTO STAR As a writer of film, television and radio music, his works have been credited to movies such as Only You, directed by Norman Jewison, the arts documentary Enigmatico and a film which debuted at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival, Boy Meets Girl directed by Jerry Ciccoritti. His other film credits include, scoring the soundtrack to the feature film, Silver Man directed by Peter Foldy. He recently scored the soundtrack to the radio drama The Wanderes, produced by Damiano Pietropaulo for CBC RADIO (English and French). His music can be heard daily on the CBC television news shows The National, Canada Now and The Main Network News. He orchestrated and conducted all of the themes and stings, as well as writting and co-writting with composers Jerry Mosby and Sonny Keys. In the pop world, his most recent collaborations as arranger/performer/conductor have been with singers, Alfie Zappacosta, Patricia O'Calighan, Blood Red Flower and Zed And The Cosmic Cowboys. He has performed on stage with Pavarotti, Domingo, Bocelli, Rod Stewart, Page and Plant, Blue Rodeo, Robert Pilon, Alfie Zappacosta, Anne Murray and the Canadian Idol Band. His first solo CD entitled, La Vita E Un Circo will be released in the fall of 2005. This CD contains all original compositions arranged for orchestra and soloist, with Claudio playing all the solo violin, viola and accordion parts. It has been described as cinimatic and dramatic. This CD is a roller-coster ride. It contains romantic tangos that will move you to younger years. It will show you the pacing of true romance, the seduction and heightend passion. It will light heartedly, joke with you both emotionally and intellectually. It will singe your internal pain receptors, and fuse with your nerve endings. It will lift your soul from, beneath your feet.