LYA DE BARBERIIS

Born in Lecce, Lya De Barberiis studied under the guidance of Alessandro Longo, gaining her piano diploma at the age of fifteen with the highest distinction. She attended master-classes with Alfredo Casella and Arturo Bonucci, with a French government scholarship for study with Marguerite Long in Paris. She started her concert career at the age of nine, leading to appearances with the most important orchestras and conductors, as well as broadcasts, in Italy and abroad. For her advocacy of the music of Italian composers, including Casella, Pizzetti, Cammarota, Petrassi and Malipiero, she was awarded the honour of Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana. She is professor of piano at the Rome Accademia Santa Cecilia and has recorded the complete piano music of Petrassi, Dallapiccola and Casella, and the sonatas of Cherubini, as well as the piano music of Mussorgsky. She has been awarded the gold medal for culture and art of the Italian Ministry of Public Instruction.

JANUARY 2009