Alex Caldiero Obituary (1949-2026) · Utah, United States · MemoriTree

Poet, polyartist, sonosopher

Alex Caldiero, the Sicilian-born American poet, polyartist, and sonosopher, passed away on February 9, 2026, at the age of 76, following a heart attack. Caldiero was a distinctive voice in the avant-garde arts, known for his innovative approach to language, sound, and performance. His passing marks the end of a prolific career that spanned decades, leaving behind a rich legacy of artistic exploration and cultural preservation.

Born Alissandru Francesco Caldiero in Licodia Eubea, Sicily, in 1949, he immigrated to the United States at the age of nine, settling in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. His early artistic development was shaped by apprenticeships with sculptor Michael Lekakis and poet-bard Ignazio Buttitta, and he attended Queens College. These formative years instilled in him a deep appreciation for both his Sicilian heritage and experimental artistic practices.

Caldiero was a true polyartist, coining the term "sonosophy" to describe his unique blend of poetry, sound, and philosophy. His work often transcended traditional artistic boundaries, appearing as language, pictures, music, and immersive performances. He was also a passionate advocate for his cultural roots, co-founding Arba Sicula, a society dedicated to the preservation of the Sicilian language and traditions.

In 1980, Caldiero moved to Utah, where he resided for the remainder of his life and became a senior artist in residence at Utah Valley University. His contributions to the arts were widely recognized, earning him a National Endowment for the Arts grant, the Utah Performing Arts Tour award, the Best Poetry Award from the Association for Mormon Letters, and the Salt Lake City Mayor's Award for Literature. He was also featured in "A Dictionary of the Avant-Gardes."

Throughout his career, Caldiero collaborated with various artists and was the subject of the 2010 documentary "The Sonosopher: Alex Caldiero…in Life, in Sound." His album "Sound Weave," created with Theta Naught, further showcased his innovative integration of word and music. Alex Caldiero's profound impact on the literary and performance art worlds, particularly in Utah, will be remembered and celebrated by those who experienced his unique vision.

Those who wish to honor Alex's memory are invited to .

Memorial created on February 13, 2026. Last updated on July 10, 2026.Curated by the MemoriTree editorial team ·

Alex's Life & LegacyKey achievements and defining moments

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UVU Philosophy and Humanities·Apr 22

Professor Caldiero was a Senior Artist-in-Residence in the Department of Philosophy and Humanities for more than twenty years and his contributions to this campus and the wider community are beyond measure. A multidisciplinary artist of extraordinary energy and ability, Professor Caldiero published 16 books of poetry and was anthologized in 8 more, exhibited his visual and intermedial art in 16 galleries and museums across the U.S., was featured in 8 films, and performed his "sonosophic" poetry on countless occasions around the world. Just last month, Professor Caldiero read Allen Ginsberg's Howl to a sold-out theatre at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. Among his awards are a National Endowment for the Arts grant, a Best Poetry Award from the Association for Mormon Letters, and the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Award for Literature. What we his colleagues will remember longest and best, however, are the many generations of students who adored Professor Caldiero. Groups of them could often be found gathered in his office, poring over texts, talking excitedly about William Blake and Dada and the Beat poets, and luxuriating in the opportunity to commune with a thinker so alive to wonder and the world. Professor Caldiero was a word-shaker, a life-affirmer, a collaborator, a spark. He would say that the performances of most import to his life were the ones he gave eight times a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the classrooms of the Clarke building. UVU was his studio, his stage, his home. We are unspeakably lucky to have known and worked alongside Professor Caldiero for more than two decades, and we hope you will join with us in the coming days to celebrate the life and legacy of this great poet, teacher, mentor, and friend

Y

Yur Annis ·Feb 25

Alex would not approve

R

Ryan Trimble·Feb 16

Alex was a model and mentor to me—in art, in love, in life. I met him on campus as a student and continued a friendship with him for years afterward. He was a father figure to me, filling a void in my life in the way that only strange elders can do, coming from community, filling gaps in our culture. I will forever remember his words and lessons to me—for he EMBODIED them—and remember with gratitude.

U

UVU Philosophy and HumanitiesApr 22

Professor Caldiero was a Senior Artist-in-Residence in the Department of Philosophy and Humanities for more than twenty years and his contributions to this campus and the wider community are beyond measure. A multidisciplinary artist of extraordinary energy and ability, Professor Caldiero published 16 books of poetry and was anthologized in 8 more, exhibited his visual and intermedial art in 16 galleries and museums across the U.S., was featured in 8 films, and performed his "sonosophic" poetry on countless occasions around the world. Just last month, Professor Caldiero read Allen Ginsberg's Howl to a sold-out theatre at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. Among his awards are a National Endowment for the Arts grant, a Best Poetry Award from the Association for Mormon Letters, and the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Award for Literature. What we his colleagues will remember longest and best, however, are the many generations of students who adored Professor Caldiero. Groups of them could often be found gathered in his office, poring over texts, talking excitedly about William Blake and Dada and the Beat poets, and luxuriating in the opportunity to commune with a thinker so alive to wonder and the world. Professor Caldiero was a word-shaker, a life-affirmer, a collaborator, a spark. He would say that the performances of most import to his life were the ones he gave eight times a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the classrooms of the Clarke building. UVU was his studio, his stage, his home. We are unspeakably lucky to have known and worked alongside Professor Caldiero for more than two decades, and we hope you will join with us in the coming days to celebrate the life and legacy of this great poet, teacher, mentor, and friend

Y

Yur Annis Feb 25

Alex would not approve

R

Ryan TrimbleFeb 16

Alex was a model and mentor to me—in art, in love, in life. I met him on campus as a student and continued a friendship with him for years afterward. He was a father figure to me, filling a void in my life in the way that only strange elders can do, coming from community, filling gaps in our culture. I will forever remember his words and lessons to me—for he EMBODIED them—and remember with gratitude.

Alex Francesco Caldiero

Poet, polyartist, sonosopher

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