Sergio Antonini

Classics & Ancient Musicology Specialist

Professional Profile

Sergio Antonini is a distinguished Classics scholar and musician specialized in the philology, theory, and performance of Ancient Greek and Roman music. His work stands at the intersection of academic research and artistic practice, with a particular focus on the reconstruction of fragmentary musical corpora and the instruction of classical languages through immersive, rhythmic-musical methods. He currently serves as the Director of the Musurgia ensemble and is a dedicated researcher at the Institute of Classical Philology (UBA).

Academic Education

  • B.A. in Classics (Licenciatura) – University of Buenos Aires (UBA).

  • Professor of Higher Education in Classics – University of Buenos Aires (UBA).

  • B.A. in Philosophy – University of Buenos Aires (UBA), In progress.

  • Classical Language Immersion & Specialized Training:

    • Latin: 156-hour intensive immersion. Accademia Vivarium Novum, Rome (2012).

    • Ancient Greek: 185-hour intensive immersion. Accademia Vivarium Novum, Frascati (2021).

Research & Specialization

Academic Research Projects (UBACyT):

  • Active researcher in multiple projects at the University of Buenos Aires (2014–2025) focusing on the Didactics of Latin and the Translation and Reception of Latin Literature.

  • Coordinator: Study Group on Ancient Mediterranean Music – Musurgia Project (IFC, UBA).

Ancient Musicology Training:

  • Ancient Doublepipes (Aulos/Tibia): Specialized study at the Euterpe School (EMAP) in Tarquinia, Italy (2018), under the direction of Barnaby Brown and Callum Armstrong.

  • Ancient Near East Music: Research on musical traditions and historical relevance (CEHAO, UCA, 2024).

Teaching Experience

Higher & Tertiary Education:

  • University of Buenos Aires (UBA): Lecturer in Latin I, III, and IV (2023–2025).

  • National University of Tucumán: Instructor of Elements of Musical Composition (1999).

  • Tucumán Provincial Conservatory: Accompanist pianist and vocal coach (1992–1993).

International Workshops & Guest Lectures:

  • Schola Aestiva Chiliensis (Chile): Professor of Latin and Classical Poetry (Annual sessions: 2023, 2024, 2025).

  • UNAM (Mexico): Led workshops on "Ancient Poetry through Song and Dance" (2023).

  • Immersion Encounters (Argentina): Lead instructor at Colloquia Latina and Exedra Latina (2019, 2024).

  • Specialized Seminars: Creator of "Ad Numeros" (Rhythmic tools for poetry) and "Singing the Classics," presented at various national symposiums.

Philological Reconstructions & Publications

Musical Reconstructions & Didactic Compositions:

  • Fragmentary Corpus: Expert reconstruction of the Berlin Papyrus 6870 (Paean and instrumental pieces) and the Michigan Papyrus Inv. 1205R.

  • Poetic Settings: Created over 40 musical settings for works by Virgil (Aeneid, Eclogues), Catullus (Comprehensive Carmina), Horace, Martial, Plautus, Sappho, and Alcaeus. These reconstructions are utilized internationally as pedagogical tools for learning classical meters.

Selected Publications:

  • "Instruments in Classical Elegy" (Anales de Filología Clásica).

  • "A Musical Version of Sappho’s Poem I" (Dramaturgias, Brasilia).

  • "The Flute of Gaius Gracchus" and "Saltando Discere Modos" (Dramaturgias, Brasilia).

  • "From Papyrus to Reed: Musical pieces of P. Berol. 6870" (In press).

Performance & Artistic Direction

Ancient Music (Director of Musurgia Ensemble):

  • Has performed in prestigious venues and festivals across Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico (UNAM, National University of Quilmes, UNLP, International Early Music Festivals).

  • Recent Recordings (2025): Reconstructions of the Hurrian Hymn No. 6 and the Prooemium of the Iliad.

Early & Classical Music Career:

  • Harpsichordist & Director: Founder of La Cetra (specializing in 1660–1760 Italian repertoire). Conducted Latin American premieres of works by Vivaldi and Pergolesi.

  • Continuo Player: Performed at Teatro Colón, Teatro Avenida, and international festivals in the USA, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Italy. Collaborated with directors including Gabriel Garrido, Daniela Dolci, Mario Videla, and Andrea Di Carlo.

  • Choral Conducting: Director of the Municipal Choir of Presidente Perón (2018–Present).

Institutional Roles & Academic Service

  • Board Member: Elected Representative for the Department of Classics, UBA (2020–2022).

  • Academic Tutor: "Quirón" Tutoring Program (UBA, 2020–2022).

  • Editorial Secretary:Travesías en Clásicas (Journal of the Department of Classics, UBA).

A man with brown hair and a beard taking a selfie in an airport.