Born in Albania, Saimir Pirgu studied the violin from an early age and went to study at the Conservatorio Monteverdi in Bolzano with Vito Maria Brunetti. He met Pavarotti with whom he worked on numerous roles, won First Prize in the international Caruso and Tito Schipa competitions and, at the age of 22, was invited by Abbado to sing Ferrando (Così fan tutte) in Ferrara.

In 2009 Saimir was awarded the Franco Corelli Prize of the Teatro delle Muse of Ancona for his performance in La traviata, and in 2013 he was awarded the prestigious “Pavarotti d’Oro”.

His dazzling high notes, his warm timbre and his convincing style, opened the doors of the greatest opera houses: Teatro alla Scala, Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Verona Arena, Salzburger Festspiele, Opernhaus Zürich, under the direction of Muti, Thielemann, P. Jordan, Mehta, Pappano, among other prestigious conductors.

This 2022-23 season highlights include, Rodolfo La bohème at Wiener Staatsoper, title roles in Faust at Opernhaus Zurich and L’amico Frtiz at Omroep Muziek and with Het Concertgebouw, Rodolfo La bohème at Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia and Ernani at Bregenzer Festival. On the concert platform, Saimir will perform Missa Solemnis at Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, Beethoven 9 with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and Verdi’s Requiem at Opera de Lyon.

Saimir Pirgu has been an ambassador for the Down Syndrome Albania Foundation since 2013.