Born in Naples, he is one of the most authoritative composers and musicians in the Italian and European scene of musical images. After studying piano, guitar, violin, and composition, he began his professional career in the theater by collaborating with the Teatro Ausonia and Armando Punzo's Compagnia della Fortezza, an experience that profoundly influenced his artistic approach.
He soon approached cinema, working with Pappi Corsicato (“Libera”, “I buchi neri”) and, after his experience with “I vesuviani”, he began a decisive collaboration with Paolo Sorrentino, composing the music for “L'uomo in più” and “Le consegni dell'amore”. Over the course of his career he developed lasting artistic partnerships with directors such as Antonio Capuano (“Mario's War”, “Dark Love”, “Seven Easy Pieces”) and Ferzan Ozpetek (“Wandering Mines”, “Magnificent Presence”, “Fasten Your Seatbelts”, “Veiled Naples”, “The Goddess of Fortune”, “The Ignorant Fairies”), composing for some of the most significant titles in contemporary cinema.
Author of numerous film and television soundtracks, his best-known works include “The Double Hour”, “Alaska”, “I'm Back”, “Veiled Naples”, “The Goddess of Fortune”, “Criminal Novel – The Series”, “Inspector Ricciardi” and “Gomorrah – The Origins”. In 2026 he composed the music for “Era” by Vincenzo Marra and Eva by Emanuela Rossi, confirming a constantly evolving career. In television he has worked on important productions, including “I bastardi di Pizzofalcone”, “Il commissario Ricciardi”, “The Ignorant Angels”, as well as numerous series and miniseries for Rai, Sky and international platforms.
His work has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations: winner of the 2010 Genie Award for The Version of “Barney”, he has obtained two Nastri d'Argento, a Ciak d'Oro, a Golden Graal, the Cinemusic award at the Ravello Festival, three Italian Queer Awards and numerous nominations for the David di Donatello, the European Film Awards and the Nastri d'Argento. In 2009 he was also named Musician of the Year for “La doppia ora” and “Romanzo Criminale”.
Alongside his film career, Catalano maintains a strong connection with the theatre, composing music for important productions and collaborating with directors such as Alfredo Arias, Fabio Cherstich and Antonio Capuano. His theatrical work with the Compagnia della Fortezza contributed to the awarding of the Ubu Prize and the Europa Prize for Theatre.
He is also active in the field of education and dissemination: he holds conferences and seminars in international cultural and musical institutions on the relationship between music, images, and contemporary literature. Since 2020, he has been a professor of composition for theater and dance at the Saint Louis College of Music.
His production also includes documentaries, short films, and art installations, confirming an eclectic and recognizable musical language, capable of traversing cinema, television, and the performing arts with coherence and expressive depth.