Laura Manzini

“I do not think there exists another pianist today who combines such an adaptable musical touch with so much technical brilliance. She plays with assuredness and aplomb”, affirmed Salvatore Accardo during his recent interview with “CD Classics” magazine.

After her talents were recognized at an early age, Laura Manzini graduated with a first-class honors degree from the “Santa Cecilia” Conservatory of music in Rome under the guidance of Sergio Cafaro.

She specialized with Bruno Canino, Alexander Lonquich and Gyorgy Sandor; under the guidance of Riccardo Brengola at the “Accademia Chigiana” in Siena and under the Trio di Trieste at the “Scuola di Musica di Fiesole” Laura studied chamber music.

At the age of eight she won her first competition, followed by other prestigious awards, which would soon lead her to perform in Europe, Asia and America. Laura has performed in the main concert halls of the world, including the Sala Verdi in Milan, Teatro La Pergola in Florence, Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Teatro Comunale of Bologna, Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, Musikhalle in Hamburg, Cité della Musique in Paris, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Beijing Century Theater, and the Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires.

Laura has also played with some major orchestras including the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, Orchestra da Camera Italiana and Die Virtuosischen Berliner Philarmoniker.

During one such performance she was listened to by Salvatore Accardo, who invited her to perform with him at a concert in the “Quirinale” Palace in Rome held in the presence of the Italian President at a gala in honour of the President of Russia MikhaiI Gorbaciov on the occasion of his first official visit to Italy. Since that first meeting Laura has formed an close co-operation with Salvatore Accardo, performing with him all around the world and recording a number of albums together.

Laura’s great interest to chamber music led her to cooperate with other important soloists like Gary Hoffman, Teresa Tunnicliff, Mariusz Patyra, Pamela Frank, Bruno Canino, Franco Petracchi, Rocco Filippini, performing at major chamber music festivals such as the Settimane Musicali Internazionali of Naples, Cremona Festival, Festival de Musique en Mer and European Chamber Music Association of Bremen.

Also, with Laura Gorna (violinist) and Cecilia Radic (cellist ) she has founded Estrio (www.estrio.it). Along with playing concerts and recently recording a CD for the Decca label.

From 1994 Laura holds the chair of Chamber Music at the Ottorino Respighi State Conservatory of Music, Latina near Rome, after she won first prize in the National competition for teaching posts, held by the Italian Ministry of Public Education.

Laura has frequently recorded for RAI, the Italian Broadcasting Company, and for the Vatican Radio as well as German Radio. She records for the Decca, Fonè, and the Dynamic labels.