He studied foreign languages and literature at the Università di Milano graduating with an MA in 1972.
He also studied early instruments there from 1975 to 1978 and music history at the Università di Venezia, where he received an MA in 1978.
In 2007, he received the Leone d'Oro per la Musica at the Biennale di Venezia.
He has received commissions from RAI, WDR, the French government, the Teatro La Fenice, the Accademia Filarmonica Romana and from other institutions.
In 1979, he founded the Ex Novo Ensemble in Venice, which is dedicated to the execution of contemporary music.