On Saturday evening the 22nd of July 2023, the International ArtePiano Festival drew to a close after a spectacular and fulfilling week of piano masterclasses, performances, and an international piano competition.

From the 14th of July onwards, students, teachers, performing artists, volunteers, festival goers, travellers and music lovers arrived in medieval Castelnuovo di Farfa with its 980 inhabitants to experience a week of musical festivities. They hail from countries such as Taiwan, USA, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Georgia, Türkiye, China, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Bulgaria, Russia, and Serbia – all who contributed to an unforgettable week that invigorated the senses.

Our students had the opportunity to work with all 6 teachers on the faculty who each focused on different aspects of piano performance. Daily seminars, lecture recitals and performance hours were scheduled at the end of the day before the start of the evening concerts. The festival faculty of 6 teachers and concert pianists opened the concert series with a 2 to 12-hand performance in the beautiful Chiesa San Nicola di Bari which is situated in the heart of the historic centre of Castelnuovo di Farfa,  and which served as the main space for all concerts and group masterclasses. They are fellow pianists Yuki Negishi, Roberto Russo, Mark Nixon, Liezl-Marét Jacobs and Pavle Krstic. The audience experienced world-class performances by South African soprano Erica Eloff, French-Canadian clarinetist Myriam Carrier, Italian piano duo Giorgia Tomassi and Carlo Maria Griguoli, British jazz pianist Phil Merriman, last year’s competition winner, 17 year-old Ruochong Steven Cui, the local choir and ensemble of Castelnuovo, a homage to composer Domenico Bartolucci, and the finals of the 3rd International ArtePiano Competition which was won by Georgian pianist, Irakli Gogiberidze.

A huge thank you to the mayor of Castelnuovo di Farfa, Luca Zonetti, Fondazione Varrone, as well as our private sponsors who made it possible for us to host ArtePiano again this summer. Their support is invaluable. Thank you to all our friends, family members, volunteers, local support and everybody else who offered their help to make the week a success. 

The dates for next year’s ArtePiano festival are set! From 14 – 21 July 2024 we will be back in Castelnuovo di Farfa. So keep us in mind when you are planning your summer. It will be worth it!