In the splendid setting of Ravello, the city of music, Maestro Francesco Libetta enchanted the audience at the Ravello Festival with a moving tribute to the late composer Ezio Bosso. The 72nd edition of the festival, directed by Maurizio Pietrantonio, welcomed the celebrated pianist, considered by Paolo Isotta "the greatest living pianist." His performance was a highlight of the musical festival, combining virtuosity and interpretive delicacy.
A Program Dedicated to Bosso
The evening, held on Sunday, August 4 in the Sala dei Cavalieri of Villa Rufolo, saw Libetta perform a program that evoked the musical works of Ezio Bosso, published by Sony Music in the double album “Lighting Bosso”. Among the pieces performed, the symphony “Oceans” resounded forcefully, accompanied by other transcriptions and reinterpretations of Bosso’s compositions for piano solo and orchestra. The evening also included pieces by Chopin, Gluck, Mozart and Bach, making the concert an event rich in emotions and facets.
The Multifaceted Talent of Libetta
Francesco Libetta has been acclaimed not only for his extraordinary piano skills but also for his versatility as an essayist, composer and conductor. His international career has seen him teach at prestigious institutions such as the Miami Piano Festival Academy of the NSU in Fort Lauderdale, the Academy of Musical Arts in Madrid and the Academy of AIMA in Rome. In addition, he is the director of the piano master classes organized by the “P. Grassi” Foundation in Martina Franca and the artistic director of the Academy on ancient instruments held in Briosco by the American Foundation Patrons of Exceptional Artist.
International Awards
Libetta’s talent has been recognized worldwide, with rave reviews praising his abilities. The New York Times describes him as “an aristocratic poet of the keyboard with the profile and bearing of a Renaissance prince,” while Le Monde de la Musique considers him the heir to legendary pianists such as Moritz Rosenthal, Busoni, and Godowsky. Other publications, such as La Tribune de Genève and ElnuevoPaís, have praised his talent and ability, making him a cult figure in the international music scene.
An Example of Elegance and Art
Prominent audiences have praised Libetta's abilities. The Corriere della Sera, through FM Colombo, called him "a dusting of elegance that we thought was lost in the archives of piano interpretation". Francesco D'Avalos dedicated all his compositions for solo piano to him, while Paolo Isotta described him as a "poeta doctus". His versatility extends from conducting to musical essays, to directing visual art, and to appearances in documentaries by Monsaingeon and Battiato.
Initiatives to Support Young People
The Ravello Foundation, always attentive to promoting musical culture among young people, has made tickets available at a reduced rate (10 euros) for under 25s for all the festival events. This is an initiative aimed at making classical music accessible and cultivating new generations of enthusiasts of this extraordinary artistic heritage.
