Principal Clarinet of the prestigious Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, he is considered to be one of the most important international clarinetists.

He started his career at an early age as Principal Clarinet in the Orchestra del Teatro V. Bellini in Catania (1993-1996), and then played in the Orchestra del Teatro dell’Opera in Rome (1997-2008, 2012-2015) and the Orchestre National de France in Paris (2008-2011).

Winner of the international prize Jeunesses Musicales in Bucharest and many other prizes in the major competitions in Italy, he has had a brilliant career playing throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and America. He has collaborated with prestigious conductors such as Kurt Masur, Mariss Jansons, Valery Gergiev, Sir Colin Davis, Yuri Temirkanov, Daniele Gatti, Herbert Blomstedt, John Eliot Gardiner, Daniel Harding, Andris Nelsons, Iván Fischer, Neemi Järvi, Charles Dutoit and Riccardo Muti.

He has recorded for B.M.G. Ricordi, Riverberi Sonori, Fonè, Accord for Music Roma, Trio Zecchini, Wicky Edition, Cristal Records, Gutman Records, Brilliant Classics, BIS Record and A.I.C.

Several of his performances have been broadcasted on radio and television by: RAI, Radio Vaticana, the Romanian National Television, Radio Clásica RNE, Radio France, Radio Tre, France Musique, RaiTrade and NPO Radio 4. Composers who have written and dedicated work for him include: Luis Bacalov, Renato Chiesa, Claudio Cimpanelli, Antonio Fraioli and Nunzio Ortolano.

His career as concert player is one with his didactic work, giving specialized courses and masterclasses in Italy and abroad: Mozarteum Salzburg, CRR de Parigi, University of Gothenburg, Conservatoire de Lyon, Tokyo University of the Arts, Malmö Academy of Music, Conservatori Liceu de Barcellona and IMEP Institut Superieur de Musique et de Pédagogie de Namur.

He is the author of the series Soli d’Orchestra for clarinet with piano accompaniment, the first volume of which has been published. He is regularly invited to take part in the juries of the most important national and international competitions for clarinet.

Calogero Palermo plays Buffet Crampon RC Prestige Clarinet.