The RiverMead Performing Arts Committee will host the Internationally acclaimed Brazilian-American pianist Monica Tessitore on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 p.m. The program will include music by Franz Schubert, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Camargo Guarnieri, and Octávio Maul.
Dr. Tessitore, an active soloist and chamber musician, received her musical education in Brazil and New England. She has appeared with several orchestras and distinguished ensembles including the Brasilia Symphony Orchestra, the Hartt Symphony Orchestra, the Emerson String Quartet and “Orchestra de L’Empodá.” As a chamber musician she participated in the “Taos Chamber Music Festival” in New Mexico and the International Music Festival of Brasilia.
Her international solo appearances include performances in Italy, Spain, Brazil, South Korea, and Portugal. Locally she has played at the Frederick’s Historical Piano Concert Series in Ashburnham and has also played with the Indian Hill Orchestra. She was the co-artistic director and pianist for the Indian Hill Chamber Players from 2004-2011.
In 2015, Dr. Tessitore started the “International Piano Week” summer program at Cushing Academy, in Ashburnham, MA and has had great success as the artistic director. This intensive week has attracted participants from China, Italy, Brazil, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, with a diverse faculty and performing artists from Russia, Brazil, Italy, and USA.
Together with Ning Tien (cello), she founded the “Omaggio Duo” and they have been active in New England playing concerts and giving master classes. They have performed at Indian Hill Music “Besas Concert Series”, Fitchburg State University, the College of the Holy Cross, and Harvard University; in China at the Beijing Conservatory of Music, Remnin University, and Minzu University and, recently, in Brazil at the University of Brasilia and in Belo Horizonte at the “Fundação Artistica.”
Dr. Tessitore recently released an all Schubert CD entitled “Momentos Musicais” with guest pianist Ellina Blinder and cellist Sergey Antonov.
In addition, Dr. Tessitore is on the piano faculties of the Indian Hill Music School in Littleton, Assumption College in Worcester, and Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA.
The concert is open to the public and free of charge. For information, call 924-0062.