The gorgeous oceanside resort of Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic has a wonderfully varied and diverse community, among it many talented artists. Here we introduce you to one such Casa de Campo community member, Maria Pia Fazio de Carlo, an Italian Pianist – who will soon be holding a private concert in Casa de Campo in aid of the Hogar del Niño. The following interview with Maria Pia Fazio de Carlo was conducted and written by Ryan Tilley, who is currently working as a volunteer at the Hogar del Niño, children’s daycare and educational center in La Romana.
Like so many classical composers, Maria Pia Fazio de Carlo’s dedication to music was a passion born dall’infanzia.
“I began playing at the age of 8. I had a piano in my home that belonged to my grandparents. It was a Steinway. My mother did like to play from time to time and she deserves the merit to have opened to me the world of the classical music. But I have to mention my father too. He was an avid listener of classical music. He had a superb collection of records”.
For Maria Pia, her love for the piano was instantaneous and immense – a fluid, seamless glissando. “By the age of 20 I had graduated from the Conservatory in Bologna, and soon thereafter began my career as a performer.”
A performer to which few can compare.
Maria has graced the modern world with countless performances– in decades as a solo performer in Italy, while teaching at the Conservatory of Music of Modena; orchestral concerts with the Filarmonica di Bologna, with the National Orchestra in Russia; duets in Washington D.C. with the renowned Japanese pianist Ryoko Tajika-Drei.
With a grace as elegant as the music she recreates, Maria Pia described her astounding career that has brought her throughout the extents of Europe—Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland—and to some of the oldest and most historic venues in the world.
“St. Petersburg was by far my favorite,” Maria Pia said decisively. “Three years ago I performed at the Conservatory there,” she recounted, a glimmer in her eye to match her smile. “You can feel the past, you can breathe the history—it is all present there. The most important composers: Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich—they were all there. It is evident from the moment you enter—the age, the worn out state of the theater— it overwhelms you, and it speaks to that history. I was very impressed.”
While Maria Pia has taken time off from performing to balance her family with her art, her dedication to her craft is undeniable, as well as stunning. “About four to five months before a performance, I begin practicing,” she explained. “Between six to eight hours per day. I think it is important to memorize the music, so that during the performance it all melts together. Not every pianist does, but most do. If you are sitting there looking at the sheets, it is clumsy. I prefer to be one with the piano.”
“And now the Galletto Family has asked me to play in support of the Sport and Cultural Project for the Hogar del Niño, and I am enormously excited,” Maria added. “They do so much for the children. I have been to the Hogar del Niño with Phyllis Berney, and I was very impressed. This is my first Charity Concert for children, but I am thrilled to be doing it. I sincerely believe music can do a lot for their cause and character. I also consider the Dominican Republic my second home, and I think this concert is a great way to express that feeling.”
“I had performances last year in celebration of 200 years of Chopin, and this year I have already honored Listz in Bologna, Italy, where I opened the summer symphonical season in the world famous Cenobio San Vittore. My next concert in Casa de Campo will also be dedicated to Listz,” Maria concluded. “I think people will like it. Listz is a big romantic.”
“200 Years of Listz” – Charity Concert by Maria Pia Fazio de Carlo, is a private by-invitation only event.
