Enrico Elisi

Enrico Elisi strives to focus on the essence of the musical message. The Spanish publication La Nueva España wrote that his “playing offered a balance between a brilliant technique and a lyric singing quality of tone. A true musician, Elisi is a master of elegance, refinement, and fantasy.” At his Italian debut, the press lauded Enrico Elisi as “young in years but with a wonderfully rich musicality, a solidly grounded technique, a precise touch, and an enduring respect in his approach to the great masters.” This critic’s prophetic words about Mr. Elisi’s humility and his respect for the work and its composer foresaw a stylistic path that legendary pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher further nurtured. Mr. Fleisher invited the young pianist to study with him at the Peabody Conservatory on a full scholarship for both masters and doctoral degrees. Mr. Elisi also holds two degrees from his native Italy, from the Conservatory of Florence and the International Piano Academy of Imola.

In the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, Mr. Elisi has been invited to perform as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras and on radio broadcasts, and to teach master classes. He has won first prizes in national and international competitions. He has garnered top awards as diverse as the Venice Prize, which brought him a performance at the famous La Fenice theatre, and the Oporto International Piano Competition, which led to a broadcast for Portugese television. An active chamber musician, he has collaborated with many renowned artists, including Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Jonathan Carney, and has performed at the Taos Chamber Music Festival and at the Ravinia Festival. His most recognized chamber collaboration has been with violinist Qian Zhou, a Long-Thibaud competition winner and Naxos recording artist with whom he toured China. Mr. Elisi has premiered contemporary works at debut recitals in Toulouse, France, and at New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall.

Since 2004 Mr. Elisi has been Director of the Piano Institute at the Las Vegas Music Festival and Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He performs regularly with the Cerberus Piano Trio.

As of: March 13, 2011