CONEXIÓN LATINA II — ADDA·SIMFÒNICA ALICANTE Gregorio Nieto, Cello Josep Vicent, Principal Conductor

Gregorio Nieto is a prominent Venezuelan cellist born in Barquisimeto in 1984. He began his musical training at the age of five at the Jacinto Lara Conservatory and discovered his passion for the cello at nine. At 22, he won by competition the position of principal solo cellist with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.

Nieto has been a member of major orchestras such as the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, touring across Latin America, Europe, and the United States. In 2009, he was admitted to the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, where he studied under renowned cellist Natalia Gutman. He has received masterclasses from distinguished musicians including Miklós Perényi, Mario Brunello, and Gary Hoffman. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with celebrated conductors such as Simon Rattle, Gustavo Dudamel, and Claudio Abbado. As a soloist, he has performed under maestros like Evgeny Bushkov and Roberto Tibiriça. His repertoire spans classical works by Bach and Tchaikovsky to Latin American compositions.

In October 2023, he premiered the piece "CAROLINA" in New York, dedicated to fashion designer Carolina Herrera. That same year, he released his first album, *Esencia: Latin American Masterpieces for Cello and Piano*, with pianist Riko Higuma, featuring works by Piazzolla, Ginastera, and Villa-Lobos, among others. The album included collaborations with Paquito D’Rivera and was produced by Emilio Solla.

Nieto was awarded first prize at the International Cello Competition in Rio de Janeiro in 2013 and holds a distinction diploma from the Royal School of Music in London.

He currently maintains an active international career, promoting Latin American music and collaborating with leading artists and composers.