Bussotti studied violin as a child but pursued career as composer.

He studied with Lupi and Dallapiccola at Florence Conservatory and with Max Deutsch in Paris.

He was prizewinner at ISCM. Festival and at Venice Biennale.

As composer he was influenced by Webern (and serialism) and later by John Cage.

He has been Artistic Director (1975) at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice.

His works include La Passion selon Sade, (1966), 5 Piano Pieces for David Tudor (1959), Torso, (1963), Rara Requiem (1969), Poesia di De Pisis (1975), Lorenzaccio (1972), Nottetempo (1976), La Racine (1980), L'Ispirazione (1988), and Fedra (1988).