Fall Concert Series: Impressions of Italy in Classical Music
Calling all classical music lovers!
The Italian Cultural & Community Center, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Houston, is delighted to host our Fall Concert Series: Impressions of Italy in Classical Music. All concerts will be held at the Italian Cultural & Community Center, 1101 Milford Street, Houston, Texas 77006. The concerts are free to attend, but space is limited, so please be sure to register early to reserve your spot. Each concert will be followed by light refreshments.
Schedule
November 8 — Landscapes from Italy
November 29 — Opera and Chamber Music
December 13 — Inspiration through the History of Italian String Quartet Music
To kick off our Fall Concert Series, Landscapes from Italy, an Italian journey through the eyes of composers Alessandro Scarlatti, Franz Liszt, and Frederic Chopin performed by pianist Lucrezia Slomp will take place Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. The concert will feature music by Liszt composed during his travels in Italy, exploring pieces dedicated to the poets Petrarca and Dante, as well as music by Alessandro Scarlatti and Frederic Chopin, who was inspired by Italian opera for his piano compositions.
Join us again on Wednesday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m. for Opera and Chamber Music featuring music by Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti, and Puccini performed by violinist Jonathan Andino, violinist Yuhao Li, violist Yuxuan Zhang, tenor Jonatán C. Reyes, cellist William Danheim, and pianist Lucrezia Slomp.
Our final concert of the fall season, Inspiration through the History of Italian String Quartet Music, will take place on Wednesday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. The Carya String Quartet—with violinists Laura Cividino and Claire Gallagher, violist Rainey Weber, and cellist Hannah Deplazes—will perform. The program will feature music by Vivaldi, Boccherini, Donizetti, Puccini, and Venier.
Meet the Musicians
Lucrezia Slomp, Piano
Lucrezia Slomp was born in Trento. Growing up in a family of musicians, she developed the passion for classical music since childhood. Lucrezia started studying piano at the age of 6 at the Conservatorio “F. A. Bonporti” in Trento. In 2010, she graduated with honourable mention under the tutoring of Maria Grazia Petrali.
In 2014, Lucrezia obtained a Master’s in piano performance with special mention at the Conservatorio “F.A Bonporti” in Riva del Garda. During her Master’s studies, Lucrezia attended the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg as part of the Erasmus Programme under the guidance of Gereon Kleiner. She obtained a four-year diploma in advanced specialization in piano performance at the “Accademia di Musica” in Pinerolo, where she studied with Pietro de Maria. Afterwards Lucrezia obtained a post-gradum Diploma in piano performance at the Pontificio Institute of Sacred Music in Rome under the guidance of Caludio Trovajoli.
Lucrezia obtained several awards in national and international piano contests. She carries out regular piano performances mainly in Italy.
In May 2015, Lucrezia was selected by the “Sistema d’Orchestra” of Venezuela and by the European Union to represent Italy at the “Festival Europeo de Solistas”.
Lucrezia’s repertoire covers classical period as well as romantic and modern but with a focus on romantic authors: Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms and Rachmaninov. She dedicated herself with passion to chamber music as well. Lucrezia played in duo, trio, quartet and quintet, performing with different formations. At the moment, she is part of the “Trio Adhara” with clarinet and cello. The trio obtained a “post-gradum” Diploma in chamber music at the Pontificio Instituto of Sacred Music in Rome.
These days, Lucrezia is attending the first year of a Master’s in “Collaborative Piano” at the University of Houston, under the guidance of Professor Timothy Hester.
Jonathan Andino, Violin I
Jonathan Andino, a Honduran violinist who began his musical studies at the Victoriano Lopez Music School in his hometown San Pedro Sula at the age of 13. After graduating as one of the top string players in the school, he began his professional career as a chamber musician for the SPS chamber orchestra. In 2013 he became recipient of the first place in his first competition in San Pedro Sula, organized by the German-Honduran Society. Soon after, he decided to continue pursuing his higher studies in the US. In 2019 Jonathan completed his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University of Louisiana where he won the first place in competitions in the Louisiana area, such as Rapides symphony and NSU concerto competition in 2017. During his time in Louisiana, he formed part of several orchestras as: South Arkansas Symphony orchestra, Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and more. In 2018 he was national finalist at the Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) competition. Jonathan has also received master classes from high profile musicians such as members of the Duisburg Symphony in Germany, Mauricio Fuks, Jose Aurelio Castillo, among others. Jonathan is currently core member of the first violin section at the Symphony of Southeast Texas, and a freelance teacher in the Houston area.
Yuhao Li, Violin II
Yuhao Li accomplished the study of undergraduate courses and got the bachelor degree issued by Central Conservatory of Music successfully in June, 2019. After graduated, he has received the offer of Master of Instrumental music in University of Louisville with the program start date of August 23rd. Yuhao Li continues his study in the United States and work as a teaching assitant. He was the concert master of China Youth Symphony Orchestra of Central Conservatory of Music and led the orchestra to participate in various practical performance and soon becomes a violin player in the Symphony Orchestra of the Central Conservatory of Music. From fall 2023, Yuhao Li started the certificate program in UH as a student from Dr. Kirsten Yon’s studio. In the concerto competition of UH 2023, Yuhao Li has won the first prize in string area.
Yuxuan Zhang, Viola
Yuxuan Zhang comes from Beijing, China and she is pursuing master of music in University of Houston studying with Wayne Brooks.
Zhang began her studies of viola at the age of 13 in per college of China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and she received her bachelor’s degree from Kant State university, as well as a performance diploma at Indiana University’s Jacob school of music. Her previous mentors have included Shaowu Wang, Fei Cao, Yu Jin and Atar Arad.
Yuxuan Zhang is an alumna of National Repertoire Orchestra and Aspen Music Festival and she has been a violist of Canton Symphony Orchestra and Owensboro Symphony Orchestra.
Jonatán Reyes, Tenor
Jonatán C. Reyes is an Undergraduate Junior studying a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance. He is actively involved in the Opera programs at “The Moores School of Music” of the University of Houston and will perform in both productions of “Così fan tutte” and “The Merry Widow”.
Jonatán is also studying the Italian language at the University of Houston and loves to sing Italian repertoire.
One of Jonatán’s favorite job is being a staff singer at Webster Presbyterian Church, where he helps lead the choir and participates in multiple service opportunity.
William Danheim, Cello
William is a native of Houston, TX and holds a M.M. degree in Cello Performance from Baylor University. He won the Semper Pro Musica Chamber Music Competition in 2017, and also holds a B.M. from Southwestern University. William is currently studying with Mr. Anthony Kitai at the University of Houston while working towards a D.M.A. in Cello Performance. William loves to spend time camping and hiking in the mountains during the summer months.
The Carya String Quartet strives to create community through performances of new and old chamber music from around the world. Drawn together by Houston’s international and inclusive arts culture, the members—Laura Cividino, Claire Gallagher, Rainey Weber, and Hannah Deplazes—hail from Italy, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and North Dakota. As the only all-women string quartet in the greater Houston area, Carya aims to bring attention to women composers in their musical and educational programs, and will continue to emphasize these works on each program of the upcoming season. 2023-2024 concerts will explore the idea “everything old is new again” through pairings of Ludwig van Beethoven’s string quartets with the responses and reflections of composers today. Highlights will include four beloved Beethoven string quartets, as well as compositions by Gabriella Smith, Aaron Kernis, Anna Clyne, and Caroline Shaw. In addition to presenting traditional concerts, the Carya String Quartet has launched several projects including “Meditations on Bach,” which paired Bach chorales with works of visual art and gained international attention, as well as “Inspirations,” an interactive and educational series focused on exploring how and why music is created and what can inspire composers, performers, and audience members alike.
Formed in 2018, the Carya String Quartet draws its name from the official state tree of Texas: the pecan tree, “Carya Illinoinensis.”