Laura Di Monaco - Ferro, Damase, Singer, Andrès, Koetsier - AIRKA (Contemporary Music for Horn and Harp) (2020)

Laura Di Monaco studied with Roberta Alessandrini at the “G. Verdi” Conservatoire in Milan from which she graudated in 1997 and subsequently (in 2006) also from the “F. Bonporti” Conseravtoire ” in Trento both with full marks. She continued her musical formation in France at the Antibes Conservatoire and in 1998 she won the gold medal at the Grand Prix Ville d’Antibes. In 1999, she returned to Milan and graduated from the Accademia della Filarmonica della Scala. Her studies continued with world renowned harpists and composers Elisabeth Fontan-Binoche, Susanna Mildonian, Judith Liber, Fabrice Pierre, David Watkins, and Bernard Andrès. Winner of numerous national and international competitions, such as the “Rovere d’oro” in S. Bartolomeo al Mare (1993) she broadcast a recital for Radio Vaticana after having been chosen as one of the 5 musicians for the "10 e Lode: Neo Diplomati in Passerella" series. Laura also won second prize at the prestigious concorso per arpa "V. Salvi" (2002). Laura is reagularly called upon to play as principal harp in the Orchestra Città Lirica (Pisa); Orchestra Filarmonica del Conservatorio "G. Verdi" (Milano), Orchestra Sinfonica del Piemonte, Orchestra G. Cantelli (Milano), Orchestra Sinfonica di Savona, I Pomeriggi Musicali (Milano), Orchestra Filarmonica "A. Toscanini" (Parma); Orchestra del Teatro "Carlo Felice" (Genova), Orchestra Filarmonica del Teatro di Bologna, and in the Orchestra dell'Arena di Verona. Both as soloist and in chamber groups, she has given concerts for important musical organisations amongst which the Associazione Musicale “Dino Ciani”, Centro Culturale Antonianum, Società dei Concerti, Amici della Musica, Fondazione "Salieri". From 2005 to 2008 she was principal harp in the, Orchestra Giovanile "Luigi Cherubini", created and conducted by Riccardo Muti.

Vittorio Schiavone graduated in French Horn from the “F. Cilea” Conservatoire in Reggio Calabria and subsequently he continued his studies at the Accademia della Filarmonica della Scala. He auditioned and won the audition for the position of principal horn in the “Haydn” Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento (Fondazione Haydn), where he was invited to make his solo debut with the Mozart’s Horn Concerto K. 447 and Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings with the tenor Francesco Araiza. After four years, Vittorio decided it was time to spread his wings and left Bolzano to perform in numerous other orchestras as Teatro Massimo (Palermo), Arena (Verona). He won the audition at La Scala Theater (Milano), Royal Philarmonic Orchestra (London), and London Symphony Orchestra as guest principal horn, performing regularly with them since 2015. In 2012, for the RSI (Swiss Radio and Television) he played Schumann’s Andante & Variations for 2 Pianos, 2 Cellos and Horn in B flat major, alongside Martha Argerich. In 2015/2016 season he was at the Royal Philharmonica Orchestra (London). In 2016, he received critical acclaim with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by François-Xavier Roth performing the Corno (Horn) Obbligato in Mahler’s 5th Symphony. About him, Peter Reed wrote: “The Scherzo, [...] brilliantly played, with Vittorio Schiavone’s magical horn obbligato delivered from his seated position...”