Maria Perrotta came to the limelight in 2012. She performed J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations when she was nine months pregnant with an ambulance stationed outside the theatre in case she went into labor during the recital. Very few women in history had given a concert this far along in their pregnancy; one of them being Clara Schumann. The live performance, published on CD by Decca, received rave reviews: “A perfect blend of the lush pianism of Alexis Weissenberg and the laser-like focus of Glenn Gould“.
Seven years and two children later, Maria Perrotta continues to seduce audiences worldiwide and will make her debut in Washington DC with a pre-Christmas piano solo recital filled with gems by Robert Schumann, Gabriele Cosmi and Ludwig van Beethoven.
This program is organized in collaboration with the Comitato Nazionale Italiano Musica (CIDIM)
LOCATION
Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
REGISTRATION & PHOTO ID REQUIRED
DOORS OPEN 30 MINUTES PRIOR EVENT START-TIME
Due to new safety regulations, we are not allowed to add extra seats to the auditorium or let anyone stand. A registration is not a guarantee of a seat as these are assigned on a first-come first-served basis. Doors close at event start-time.
Once the event is full we will not accept wait list requests. A limited number of “last call” registrations will be available on Eventbrite between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM on the day of the event.
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PROGRAM
Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)
Kreisleriana, op. 16
Äußerst bewegt, D minor
Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch, B♭ major
Sehr aufgeregt, G minor
Sehr langsam, B♭ major/G minor
Sehr lebhaft, G minor
Sehr langsam, B♭ major
Sehr rasch, C minor/E♭ major
Schnell und spielend, G minor
Gabriele Cosmi (1988)
Sonata
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E♭ major, Op. 81a
Das Lebewohl (The Farewell)
Abwesenheit (The Absence)
Das Wiedersehn (The Return)
MARIA PERROTTA
A child prodigy, Maria Perrotta made her debut with a symphony orchestra at the age of 11, performing L.v. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at the Rendano Theatre of Cosenza, her native city.
Hailed as an exceptionally communicative interpreter, she has performed extensively across Italy and Europe. In 2013, she performed L.v. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini conducted by Antoni Wit, as well as L.v. Beethoven’s last three piano sonatas to critical acclaim: “Where Pollini is fast and formalistic, Perrotta is analytical and expressive, but, like Pollini, always maintains a sense of formal unity.” (Corriere della Sera)
Maria Perrotta has broadcast on Sky TV, the German radio station Saarländischer Rundfunk, and various other German and Italian television channels and radio stations. She has recorded for the labels Decca, Cinik Records and ClassicaViva. Her live recording of J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) (Cinik Records, 2012) received five stars and won the Critics’ Award in major musical magazines in Italy – “A perfect blend of the lush pianism of Alexis Weissenberg and the laser-like control of Glenn Gould.” (Libero) “If she stays on this path, Maria Perrotta seems destined to become the Italian Rosalyn Tureck.” (Corriere della Sera)
A graduate of the Milan Conservatoire, the École Normale de Musique in Paris and the National Academy of St Cecilia in Rome, she has won top prizes in several international competitions, including the triennial International J.S. Bach Piano Competition in Germany.
Maria Perrotta is married to the Italian baritone Lucio Prete, with whom she has two daughters.