Italian-Swiss prize-winning violinist Irene Abrigo is acclaimed for her expressive depth, versatility, and commitment to both traditional and contemporary repertoire. Recognised as one of the most engaging musicians of her generation, she combines a distinguished solo career with an active dedication to education and social engagement.

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Highlights of the 2025–2026 season include her third appearance at Carnegie Hall with the Chamber Orchestra of New York and Maestro Salvatore Di Vittorio, performing Vaughan Williams’s The Lark Ascending, as well as a chamber music tour with Heinz Holliger and the Swiss Chamber Soloists.

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Her debut in 2015 marked the beginning of a vibrant international career. Recent and forthcoming seasons include her Carnegie Hall debut with the Chamber Orchestra of New York, performing the U.S. premiere of Dirk Brossé’s Black, White and in Between, followed by a return in 2019 for Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, which received a standing ovation. She has appeared as soloist with the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra (Czech Republic) and in the South American premiere of Respighi’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in Brazil. Winner of the Respighi Prize, and a laureate of several national and international competitions such as Città di Vittorio Veneto, Irene is also deeply involved in promoting the music of Ottorino Respighi.

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A passionate chamber musician, she has collaborated with artists including Heinz Holliger, Dénes Várjon, Izabella Simon, Corina Belcea, Jürg Dähler, Rosanne Philippens, Felix Renggli, Julian Prégardien, Thomas and Patrick Demenga, Enrico Bronzi, and the Merel Quartet.

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Her strong commitment to contemporary music has led to close collaborations with composers such as Heinz Holliger, Xavier Dayer, Richard Dubugnon, Nadir Vassena, David Philip Hefti, Mischa Käser, and Daniel Schnyder, premiering numerous works written for her and broadcast by major international radio stations. In parallel, she is devoted to historically informed performance, working with Enrico Onofri and performing on a rare Jacobus Stainer baroque violin.

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Irene began her musical journey at the Suzuki School in Aosta and pursued advanced studies with Marie-Annick Nicolas (HEM Geneva), Pierre Amoyal (HEM Lausanne / Mozarteum Salzburg), and Corina Belcea (HFM Bern). She also attended masterclasses with Zakhar Bron, Thomas Füri, Viktor Pikayzen, Itzhak Rashkovsky, Ani Schnarch, Mayumi Seiler, and Benjamin Schmid, and she took part in the IOIA Academy of the Vienna Philharmonic and in the Keshet Eilon Masterclasses in Israel. Her artistic development has been shaped by mentorship from Corina Belcea, Jürg Dähler, Enrico Onofri, and Heinz Holliger.

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Beyond the concert stage, Irene is the founder of POURQUOIPAS, a non-profit association promoting socially driven artistic projects; the Lucignano Music Festival, which combines high-level performances with inclusive community initiatives; and the Italian Swiss Music Society, fostering cultural exchange between Italy and Switzerland under the patronage of the Italian Consulate and Italian Institute of Culture.

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Since 2023, Irene Abrigo has served as Professor of Violin at the Conservatory of Winterthur, where she leads the Talent Development Program and the Pre-College Violin Class.

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She performs on a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin (Milan, 1758) and a François Xavier Tourte bow (ex-Iona Brown), both generously on loan from a private patron.

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