Born in 1914 in Udine, Italy, Sergio Magnani received the foundation of his humanistic and musical education there. Devoted to studying piano and organ, he also became a voracious reader of literature and philosophy. In Rome, he earned doctoral degrees in Philosophy of Law and Literature. After participating in World War II, he began working for the state-owned Radio Audizione Italiana (RAI). He headed the symphonic and chamber music departments, first in Turin and then in Rome. He also served as editor-in-chief of Radiocorriere, RAI's newspaper.

Invited by the Minas Gerais musician Venicio Mancini, who was temporarily residing in Rome, Sergio Magnani came to Belo Horizonte at the age of 36 in the late 1950s. During his 50 years in the city, he became the most prominent musical figure in Minas Gerais, leading all the orchestras created in the capital and conducting most of the operas staged there. He also taught at the leading music schools and lectured on Italian Literature at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).

Beyond his musical contributions to Belo Horizonte, Magnani also worked at the Lorenzo Fernandez State Conservatory in Montes Claros (MG), the Federal University of Bahia in Salvador, and in São Paulo. In his eighties, he hosted the program "Os Compositores" for more than two years on Rádio Inconfidência de Minas Gerais. He published two editions of the book "Expressão e Comunicação na Linguagem da Música" with Editora UFMG, a reference for music teachers and students, and for anyone interested in this art form.