Giovanni Umberto Battel, born in the province of Venice, began his piano's studies when he was four years old, under the guidance of his father Camillo, pianist and composer, and graduated with full marks and honours and honourable mention at the "G. Tartini" Conservatory in Trieste, under the direction of M° Luciano Gante. Under pianist Lya De Barberiis he obtained, with full marks and honours, the post-graduate diploma at the "Accademia di Santa Cecilia" in Roma. In the meantime, having an education in classical studies, Battel took a degree in musicology, with full marks and honours, at Bologna University and published articles on the new methodologies of performing analysis.
Between 1974 and 1979 he won six important national piano competitions connected with the main Italian concert societies. Between 1978 and 1982 he won prizes in seven international piano competition, proving his value in different places and times, it is enough to mention the first prizes in Stresa and in Enna and other prizes won at “Pozzoli”, at “Viotti” and at “Busoni” competitions.
After his début as a soloist in 1976 for Venice's theatre "La Fenice" and his first performance with orchestra in 1980 at the Sanremo theatre, he has given many concerts in Italy. Since 1986 Battel has also played in France (Paris, Bergues, Bondues, Bourbourg, Briançon, Chateneauneuf du Pape, Lille, Nancy, Nantes, Obernai, Pennautier, Strasbourg), Germany (Hamburg, Böblingen, Bonn, Bremen, Dresden, Lubeck, Meersburg, Munich, Remaghen), Great Britain (London), Belgium (Brussels, Jodoigne, Modave), Sweden (Stockholm), Spain (Madrid, Girona, Sant Pere de Rodes, Vigo), Portugal (Madeira), Switzerland (Zurich, Baden), Slovenia (Ljubljana), Croatia (Zagreb, Pola), Serbia (Belgrade), Greece (Athens, Tesaloniki), Turkey (Ankara, Smyrna), Russia (Samara), Ukraine (Kharkov) Japan (Tokyo, Osaka), U.S.A. (San Francisco and other towns in California, Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma), Canada (Vancouver, Victoria).
He played with chamber and symphony orchestra conducted by De Bernart, Gavazzeni, Steinberg, Scimone and many other.
He recorded for both Italian radio and television (RAI). Among his recordings it is to mention two CD with Busoni Piano Concert op. 39a (Bongiovanni ed).
When he was twenty, Battel obtained the Piano Chair and has taught at Conservatory of Trieste and Venice. From November 1st 1997 to October 31st 2009 has been Director of the “Benedetto Marcello”, the Conservatory of Venice.
He founded and directed the Piano Competition "Luciano Gante" (1997-2010).
He has taught master classes in Italy, France, Spain, Serbia, Albania, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, Japan, U.S.A. and Canada. He also has been a member of the commission of piano competions and music consultant for concert seasons.
