Riccardo Nova studied composition with Giuliano Zosi and Giacomo Manzoni, as well as flute, at the G. Verdi Conservatory in Milan. He went on to study with Franco Donatoni at the Civica Scuola di Musica in Milan and the Accademia Chigiana in Sienna, graduating from the latter institution in 1989 with highest honours.

Starting in 1993, he undertook a number of extended trips to India, studying South Indian classical music with M.T. Raja Kesari. These experiences had a major influence on Nova’s work, notably leading him to compose several works using Indian percussion instruments in a Western ensemble setting (e.g., Nineteen Mantras, Ipnos Sequences and Primes).

In the late 1990s, he became active in the field of avant-garde techno, co-founding the group “Overclockd” with Massimiliano Viel. In 2000, he co-founded the Sincronie Foundation along with Fausto Romitelli, Giorgio Bernasconi, Giovanni Verrando, and Massimiliano Viel.

His ballet Ma’s Sequences, with choreography by Akram Khan, was premiered in Singapore in 2004 and subsequently performed around the world (Sydney Opera House, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Théâtre de la Ville, etc.).

In 2007, Thirteen/13X8@terror generating deity (The ultimate reality) was selected for performance at the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers.

Nova’s works have been performed at festivals such as Ars Musica, Wien Modern, Présences, Archipel, Tokyo New Music Festival, Agora, Venice Biennale, and Ultraschall, and by ensembles including Ensemble Itinéraire, Ensemble Intercontemporain, 2e2m, Avanti!, Recherche, Arditti Quartet, Neue Vocalsolisten, and Ictus.