Sue Wade for Florida Weekly
It was clear even before he was born that Alessandro Mazzamuto would have a musical life, and a musical life in strings at that.
How could it be otherwise?
His family tree fairly blossoms with musicians — his grandmother and great-aunt operatic singers, both parents, cellists. His mother played cello in the orchestra at Catania, Sicily, while pregnant with him and his older brother, Lorenzo.
He and his three brothers were destined for stringed instruments.
“My parents thought that, as a violinist, it would be easier for me to find a job with an orchestra,” he said.
So, at seven, he began violin lessons with his mother.
How, then, does Grand Piano Series have Alessandro Mazzamuto performing Liszt and Rachmaninoff piano sonatas which he describes as “big, difficult beasts of pieces”?
Alessandro Mazzamuto, who performs at 7:30 p.m. May 11 at Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Avenue, Naples, explained.
“I really didn’t like the violin … at all! The piano was the only possible instrument in my mind and heart. From my earliest memories, I was drawn to my grandma’s piano, wanting to learn.
“I remember the day that — after warning me that, to be very, very good, I had to practice and practice — my parents finally allowed me to study piano. I was nine, and immediately able to play very difficult stuff.”
Still, achieving his personal goals wasn’t easy.
“We are not a rich family,” he continued. “But my parents did everything they could for me — sending me to different teachers, to America.”
Ironically, many virtuosos don’t earn enough to afford their own instruments.
Having won prizes in dozens of competitions, Alessandro had the desire, but not the means, to perform in a major international competition. To do so, he badly needed a decent piano and a place to practice.
His parents made a deal on a 1991 Kawai grand piano. Alessandro rented a garage next to a Catania auto repair shop, where he lived and practiced for three years, sharing pizza with his mechanic neighbor and struggling to keep the rain from pouring in. He supported himself by teaching.
Now the Kawai is at home in Texas with him and his wife.
“It stands for all the sacrifices my family made for me. It wasn’t easy for sure, but in the end, it was worth it for everything that came afterward.”
After inviting Alessandro to play in the Progetto Martha Argerich in Lugano, Switzerland, in 2013, she named him among 10 outstanding young pianists of the future, adding, “His technique is absolutely accomplished, extraordinary, brilliant, and his sound production, together with his creative power, really captivated the audience.”
In 2014, Alessandro came to study with American pianist Carol Leone DMA, at Southern Methodist University. While earning his performer’s diploma, he won the Birte Moller Young Artist grant from the Center for Musical Excellence and debuted solo at a soldout Carnegie Hall in 2015.
In 2017, Alessandro returned to Catania, applied for a green card and married Chiara La Ferla, a singer, radio announcer, classical pianist and teacher. She moved back to Dallas with him, and he completed his work on an SMU Artist Diploma in 2018.
“As my graduate assistant, he has been given responsibility to teach other music majors, which is rarely given to a student,” said Ms. Leone. “His students rave about his passion and dedication as a teacher. The improvements these students demonstrate in a short period of time are remarkable.”
He’s a teacher who looks into students’ hearts and helps draw out what they need to express.
His manager, Colleen O’Connor, speaks from experience as one of his adult amateur students.
“It was like therapy,” she said. “He walks around the room, singing and conducting to show what the instrument is capable of. A piano teacher like him transforms students from piano players into those who dare think of themselves as pianist, musician and artist.”
After triumphs as a young competitor and performer, Alessandro has evolved from protégé of two different “lionesses of the piano” into a mentor of others like him who might have the talent, but not the means to pursue a dream.
Alessandro will spend time in Naples in mini residencies, sharing his passion for music with young listeners at local elementary schools.
“Music is a journey that never ends,” he said. “It’s a world that we can explore forever.”
Grand Piano Series | Alessandro Mazzamuto
» When: Wednesday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m.
» Where: Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Avenue, Naples.
» Tickets: $45-50
» Info: www.grandpianoseries.org or 469-333-3231
Artis—Naples
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