Mario Bernardi

Bernardi was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario,[1] and spent his first six years in Canada. After his family moved to Italy,[1] Bernardi studied piano, organ, and composition with Bruno Pasut at the Manzato Conservatory at Treviso and took his examinations at Italy's Venice Conservatory.[1]

After graduating in 1945, his family returned to Canada where he finished his studies at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.[1] He then was a concert pianist.

In 1957 he conducted the Canadian Opera Company,[1] and in 1963 was coach and assistant conductor at the Sadler's Wells Opera Company (now the English National Opera).[1]

In 1968 he became the founding conductor of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa,[1] and also became the music director in 1971.[1] He then led the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra from 1984 until 1992.[1] From 1983 until 2006 he was the principal conductor of the CBC Radio Orchestra.[1] He then retired from full-time work, although he continued to perform with numerous orchestras as an occasional guest conductor;[1] he was named NACO's conductor laureate in 1997.[1]

He has made several dozen recordings for CBC Records, the CBC's in-house label, among others.[1]

He died on 2 June 2013 in Toronto.[2]

Bernardi worked until age 80, when he had a serious stroke and moved to a care home. He continued to play piano until he lost sufficient finger dexterity.[3]

Bernardi was married, with one daughter and two grandsons.[3]

• He has honorary degrees from the University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Windsor, University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Lakehead University and Laurentian University.[1]
• 1972: He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.[4]
• 1982: Received the Diplôme d'Honneur from the Canadian Conference of the Arts
• 1999: Bernardi received the National Arts Centre Award, a companion award of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.[5]
• 2001: He received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.[6]
• 2006: He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.[7]

• Interview with Mario Bernardi, 5 June 1995