Nello Santi (born September 22, 1931) is an Italian conductor. He is often called "Papa Santi" by his fellow musicians to show their high respect for his work. 　　Santi was born in Adria (Veneto), Italy. He studied composition at the Liceo musicale of Padua. In 1951, he made his debut as a conductor in Padua conducting Verdi's Rigoletto at the Teatro Verdi. He was appointed as the music director of the Zurich Opera House from 1958 to 1969. He has conducted at the Zurich Opera from 1958, Metropolitan Opera from 1962 when he made his debut with Verdi's Un ballo in maschera, Royal Opera House with La traviata and many more opera houses all over the world including Verona Arena. At some time, Nello Santi retired to Riehen (canton Basel-Stadt), but still occasionally gave very much appreciated concerts in Basel.