Until Sunday, August 2: PIETRASANTA IN CONCERT. Cloister of St. Augustine and Piazza del Duomo, Pietrasanta (Lucca). Performances nightly at 9:30 pm. Ticket prices from €10-40. (Tues. July 28 free)
The Tuscan city of Pietrasanta, nestled between the foothills of the Apuan Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, proudly hosts the ninth edition of Pietrasanta in Concert. Set a 14th century cloister as well as the Piazza del Duomo, this 10-day classical music festival features four chamber orchestras and 106 musicians from around the world under the artistic direction of Michael Guttman.
The event opened Friday, July 24 with a performance by French pianist known as the “poet of the piano,” Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
The program continues Saturday, July 25 with violinist Lorenzo Gatto performing Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, accompanied by Florence’s Maggio Musicale Chamber Orchestra.
Sunday, July 26 the audience can enjoy 25-year-old Belgian violinist Leonard Schreiber playing Giuseppe Tartini’s violin sonata “The Devil’s Trill,” famous for its technical difficulty.
The Debussy String Quartet will fill the air of the St. Augustine cloister with the sounds of of Shostakovich and Beethoven, on Monday, July 27.
On Tuesday, July 28, in tribute to the citizens of Pietrasanta, a free concert will be offered at La Rocca, overlooking the Piazza del Duomo. The program of great film scores enhanced by photos projected on the large screen will highlight pianist Alessio Ciano and trumpet player Alessandro Silvestro with the Maggio Musicale Chamber Orchestra.
“The Voice of Vivaldi” featuring tenor Dominique Corbiau joined by violinists Michael Guttman and Leonard Schreiber will be offered on Wednesday, July 29.
Bach aficionados won’t want to miss the Thursday July 30 program with Russian artists Yuri Bashnet on viola and Denis Kozhukhin on piano.
The music continues with “A Russian Soiree with Boris Berezovsky” highlighting the renowned Russian pianist accompanied by the Festival Quartet on Friday, July 31.
Saturday August 1, Berezovsky will again captivate the audience with Beethoven’s Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 1 accompanied by the Florentine Chamber Orchestra.
The 10-day musical feast culminates on Sunday, August 2 with “Four Hands, Two Souls, One Historical Duo” featuring Katia and Marielle Labeque. The sisters of French Basque and Italian parentage, known for their energetic performances, have extended their musical repertoire by experimenting with jazz, flamenco and rock. Sunday’s concert showcases the music of George Gershwin and Maurice Ravel.
The organizers of the festival invite the public to Pietrasanta as these international musicians share their talents in evenings filled with the best of classical music. (rita kungel)
For complete program info and ticket purchase consult the festival website:
