Alberto Martelli studied composition, choral music and orchestra conducting at the G. B. Martini Conservatory in Bologna with masters Paolo Renosto, Aldo Clementi, Tito Gotti and Bianca Furgeri.

He attended international orchestra conducting courses and seminars in phenomenology of music by Sergiu Celibidache and was assistant to Eliahu Inbal and Hubert Soudant. He has conducted many orchestras in Italy and abroad performing in prestigious halls and festivals (Rome Auditorium Parco della Musica, Gasteig München, Festival de Haute Savoie, and Festivals of Passau, Saõ Paulo and Buenos Aires).

He has conducted and recorded world premieres of contemporary composers, such as the ballet Sprint by Giorgio Gaslini nominated best contemporary ballet for 2000. He also regularly performs Italian opera of the eighteenth and nineteenth century in Italian and European theaters. 

Alberto Martelli is Artistic Director of the musical association Conoscere la musica and Professor of Orchestra Conducting at the A. Boito Conservatory of Parma.