One of three children born to a chemist father and an accountant mother,[1] Rizzi studied music at the Milan Conservatory.
In August 1992, he became music director of Welsh National Opera (WNO), and served in the post through 2001.
[5] In June 2019, Opera Rara announced the appointment of Rizzi as its next music director, effective September 2019.
[6] In July 2022, Opera Rara announced an extension of Rizzi's contract as artistic director through June 2025.
[7] Rizzi's recordings include an English-language version of Leoš Janáček's Káťa Kabanová (Chandos),[8] and a DVD set of La Traviata (Deutsche Grammophon).