Biography

Ulises Maino is an Argentine-Italian conductor, pianist and répétiteur based in Europe, and one of the emerging figures of his generation in the international opera scene.

His artistic profile is defined by a conducting style of strong dramatic intensity, structural clarity and theatrical sensitivity, with an artistic focus on operatic and symphonic repertoire.

Trained between Argentina and Europe, he completed his Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz (KUG), under the guidance of Marc Piollet and Wolfgang Wengenroth. He also developed solid experience within the European opera system, establishing a profile closely associated with the German and Italian operatic traditions.

Since 2023, he has been part of the artistic team at Oper Graz, one of the most active repertory opera houses in the German-speaking world. His work there includes musical direction of opera productions, symphonic projects and contemporary premieres, with titles such as Rigoletto, La Cenerentola, Tom Sawyer, Schneewittchen and Il cappello di paglia di Firenze.

His international activity includes collaborations with institutions such as Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Teatro Petruzzelli di Bari, Camerata Salzburg, Wiener Festwochen and the Centro Cultural Kirchner.

He has worked with orchestras such as the Orchestra Estable del Teatro Colón, Grazer Philharmoniker, Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Argentina, as well as with internationally renowned artists and conductors including Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Thomas Hengelbrock, Alejo Pérez, Evelino Pidò, Vassilis Christopoulos, Francesco Ivan Ciampa, Jonas Kaufmann, Bryn Terfel, Kristine Opolais and Ludovic Tézier.

At Teatro Colón, he developed a progressive career within the opera and symphonic production system, serving between 2015 and 2021 as Assistant Director of the Stable Choir and later as Music Director of the Chamber Opera at Teatro Colón, where he led productions such as Apollo et Hyacinthus, Mahagonny Songspiel, Piedade and the Latin American premiere of Mozart’s Mitridate, re di Ponto.

In 2024, he reached a major turning point with his debut on the main stage of Teatro Colón as music director of Aurora by Héctor Panizza, in the new Spanish version by Gambartes / Maino. The production —with the Teatro Colón Orchestra and Choir— received significant critical acclaim and consolidated his international profile.

His repertoire focuses particularly on Mozart, Italian and German operatic repertoire from the 18th to the 20th century, contemporary music, and the revival of Latin American repertoire.

Season 2026/27 - Oper Graz

In the upcoming season at Oper Graz, he will conduct new productions of Tom Sawyer by Weill, Rusalka by Dvořák and Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet, as well as various symphonic projects.