INTRODUCTIONS FROM THE STAGE

Italian pianist Christian De Luca was born in San Giovanni Rotondo in 1993. At age 17 he made his debut with Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 with the orchestra at the Umberto Giordano Conservatory, where he graduated the following year. Christian has a strong interest in historical performance practice, studying fortepiano with Giuseppina De Berardinis and receiving coaching from fortepianist Audrey Axinn and harpsichordist Peter Sykes. Since autumn of 2016, Christian has been performing regularly with cellist Madeleine Bouissou, in both modern and period-instrument settings. Currently, Christian is completing his Master’s degree at The Juilliard School, where he has studied with Jerome Lowenthal, Julian Martin, and Matti Raekallio, and has also been teaching as fellow for the Music Theory and Analysis department.

“An expert in 18th century style” (The New Yorker), Nicholas McGegan has dedicated five decades to conducting. McGegan’s approach — intelligent, infused with joy and never dogmatic — has led to appearances with many of the world’s major orchestras, including Cleveland, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Hong Kong, Sydney, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

His discography includes more than 100 releases spanning five decades, including more than 40 with Philharmonia Baroque and Chorale, where he was music director for 34 years, and 17 with Capella Savaria, who made him Principal Guest Conductor for Life.

He was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) “for services to music overseas”. McGegan is committed to the next generation of musicians, frequently conducting and coaching students in regular engagements at Yale, Juilliard, Harvard,, Aspen Music Festival, and more.