Baroque and classical music lovers in Malta are in for a unique treat this Easter!
Internationally acclaimed Italian pianist Francesco Attesti will play Bach’s Goldberg Variations on April 5, presented by the Embassy of Italy, Teatru Manoel and the Italian Cultural Institute.
Widely considered as one of the most demanding works ever written for keyboard, and an important example of variation form, The Goldberg Variations BWV 988 consist of an aria and a set of 30 variations – named after its supposed first performer, Johann Gottlieb Goldberg.
“Italian composers are known worldwide, from Monteverdi to Busoni, Scarlatti to Berio,” says His Excellency, Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Romano. “Italy is also a country of conductors, interpreters and performers. When it comes to piano, all music-lovers are familiar with Benedetti Michelangeli, Pollini and Ciccolini. In keeping with this tradition, Francesco Attesti is an outstanding example of the younger generation of players who bring both respect and new ideas, and especially, a sophisticated technique.”
Francesco Attesti is one of the finest interpreters of romantic and early 20th century repertoire of his generation. He trained in Salzburg, Rome and Florence, refining his skills under the instruction of many prestigious Maestros. He has recorded CDs with several labels and collaborated with contemporary composers such as Silvia Bianchera Bettinelli and Biagio Putignano, as well as recorded Mozart’s piano concertos for the Deeply Mozart DVD. Maestro Attesti was also named ‘Artist changing lives’ by the city of Edinburg (Texas, USA), and has received the ‘Key to the City’ in both McAllen, USA and New York, USA, for his artistry and human skills. He has, so far, performed in more than 40 countries and continues to mesmerise audiences in renowned concert halls worldwide.
Describing Attesti, the Lake City Journal from Florida, USA, said that “Attesti seems to relish pieces of extraordinary difficulty, playing with confidence and passion that charms the most demanding critics and concertgoers around the world.” Artist Manager Ann Stevens said: “It went totally beyond my expectations. Francesco’s music has a way of speaking to your heart.” The Warsaw Gazeta touted his concert as “The sound of a genius!”, while fellow concert pianist Hector Moreno called him “an extraordinary professional who greatly combines musicality and enormous talent, all of which makes him belong to the elite of the young Italian concertists.”
Francesco Attesti will perform The Goldberg Variations by JS Bach at Teatru Manoel on 5 April 2023, at 8pm. This concert is presented by the Embassy of Italy, Teatru Manoel and the Italian Cultural Institute. Tickets are available via www.teatrumanoel.mt or by email to bookings@teatrumanoel.mt and telephone on (+356) 2124 6389.
