Alceo Galliera (1910-1996) was an Italian conductor, active in opera and symphonic repertory. Born in Milan, he studied at the Milan Conservatory and later worked with major European orchestras and opera companies.

Galliera conducted recordings for EMI and other labels, including opera with Maria Callas and Tito Gobbi, and orchestral repertory with the Philharmonia Orchestra. In the Pristine catalogue he appears in Rossini and Respighi.

His conducting is polished, rhythmically alert and singer-conscious, with a strong sense of Italian theatrical line. He was not a flamboyant podium celebrity, but a highly capable musical craftsman.

Galliera’s recordings preserve an elegant mid-century Italian conducting tradition. His work often has the virtues of good tailoring: clean cut, firm seams and no wasted cloth.