Julio Caballero defines himself as an artist who is restless, committed and a perfectionist. In addition to his work as an artistic director, he is considered one of the best harpsichordists of his generation, both as a soloist and ensemble player, with an outstanding talent for improvisation.

From an early age he had an interest in understanding how music worked, and at the age of 12 began taking lessons in harmony and composition, which became a cornerstone of his training. Shortly afterwards he decided to specialise in early music, attracted by the interpretative freedom of the repertoire, his affinity for this music and the scope for putting his knowledge of improvisation and composition into practice. When he was 18, he moved to Switzerland to study with harpsichordist and improviser Dirk Börner, who, together with the flautist and conductor Michael Form, were involved in his first training in early music at the Bern Academy of the Arts.

He then moved to Basel to study at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, with Francesco Corti as his instrument teacher. There he was encouraged and influenced by his teachers and fellow students, many of whom he still maintains a close artistic relationship with. At the same time, he began performing professionally with various orchestras such as Les Musiciens du Louvre, Il Pomo d’Oro, B’Rock, Abchordis, and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie orchestra, as well as numerous chamber ensembles.

It was at this time that, together with fellow students, he founded El Gran Teatro del Mundo, a creative laboratory in which they could grow artistically, putting into practice the ideas that already formed the basis of what the ensemble is now.

Today, directing El Gran Teatro del Mundo is Julio Caballero’s main occupation, which includes more detailed study of and research into the repertoire and its context.