Guido Sant’Anna

Born in 2005 in São Paulo, Brazil, Guido Sant’Anna achieved international acclaim in 2022 when he became the first South American violinist to win the prestigious Fritz Kreisler International Competition. His triumph in Vienna was preceded by another historic achievement in 2018, when he became the first Brazilian violinist invited to the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition in Geneva, winning both the Audience Prize and the Chamber Music Award. His numerous accomplishments have earned him a coveted place on Forbes Brazil’s “30 under 30” 2022 list.

Sant’Anna has performed as soloist both in Brazil and abroad with eminent orchestras; at home he has developed a close connection to the São Paulo State Symphony and Minas Gerais Philharmonic orchestras, establishing himself as a familiar presence to local audiences. In October 2022 he stepped in for Christian Tetzlaff in São Paulo with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, play conducting Brahms’ violin concerto, receiving rave reviews. For his winning performance at the Fritz Kreisler International Competition, he played with the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien under Alexander Joel at the Musikverein. Previous collaborations include the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra, Municipal Symphony Orchestra of São Paulo and Symphony Orchestra of the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, with his repertoire featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Ravel. Recital dates include appearances in the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Brazil and Paraguay.

In June 2023 Sant’Anna makes his anticipated Rheingau Musik Festival debut with the hr Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt under the baton of its Music Director Alain Altinoglu, performing Édouard Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole. His debut in Rheingau will be followed by concerts in his hometown performing Mendelssohn’s violin concerto, with Thierry Fischer conducting the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra. These performances will constitute his debut recording project for the Naxos Records label. Further afield in autumn 2023 Sant’Anna makes his Asian debut, embarking on a recital tour of South Korea. In spring 2025 Guido will join the Neojibá Youth Orchestra of Bahia on a European tour, along with soloists Lucas and Arthur Jussen, under the direction of Ricardo Castro.

Sant’Anna began his violin lessons at the age of five, giving his orchestral debut at the age of seven under the baton of conductor Júlio Medaglia. Aged eight, Guido was a finalist at the Prelúdio Competition, promoted by TV Cultura, São Paulo. He has been a Cultura Artística scholar since 2012, under the guidance of his tutor Elisa Fukuda. Further distinctions include the Graded Outreach Program, a prestigious scholarship for exceptionally gifted Brazilian students at the American School of São Paulo, and his participation at the Perlman Music Program in 2018-19. In 2021 he emerged as the winner of the Young Soloists Competition of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, and in 2022 he received the Grand Prix 2022 by CONCERTO Magazine.

Guido plays a violin made in 1874 by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, on generous loan from the luthier Marcel Richters. He has been supported by the KD SCHMID Fellowship Scheme since May 2023, as well as by the arteMusica-Stiftung.

Since 2023, he has been studying at Kronberg Academy with Mihaela Martin. His studies are funded by the Margareta and Steffen Rabus patronage.