Ugo Orlandi receives first honorary degree at Naples Conservatory

Ugo Orlandi, an internationally renowned mandolinist, scholar, and educator, has been awarded the first honorary degree (laurea honoris causa) in the history of the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples.

Orlandi, born in Brescia in 1958, has dedicated his career to the musical research, academic training, and rediscovery of lesser-known mandolin repertoire. The recognition was presented during an international conference titled ‘I compositori a Napoli nel Novecento’ (20th Century Composers in Naples), organized in collaboration with the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli.

In addition to his concert career, Orlandi is recognized for founding a mandolin faculty in Padua and for his extensive work cataloging historical manuscripts, including those related to the Filodrammatica Cremonese. During the ceremony, Orlandi emphasized the importance of continuing to research and rediscover musical works that remain largely unknown to the public.