Maestro Roberto Porroni, Famed Italian Guitarist and Flutist, to Perform at UST May 23, 2011

Renowned guitar virtuoso will travel from Milan to Houston to perform a concert of Italian music at 7 p.m., Monday, May 23, at the University of St. Thomas, Cullen Hall, 4001 Mt. Vernon.

Under the patronage of Consul General of Italy Favrizio Nava, the concert will honor the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy. Flutist Luigi Arciuli will join Porroni in performing Italian music from the 1800s, with works by Paganini, Caruilli (a Fantasy on Rossini’s Gazza Ladra) some popular Italian songs of the unification period (including a rare piece written by Guiseppe Mazzini, one of the Italian heroes of this period_ and a second part devoted to the 1900s Italian music with soundtracks by Nino Rota and Ennio Morricone.

Porroni is one of the best known Italian classical guitarists. He recorded his first LP in 1977, and went on to build a life-long career performing in prestigious venues around the world. He earned a degree in music history at the Universita Statale di Milano. He often collaborates with the Italian Radio Television, for whom he prepares programs on guitar music. He also recorded programs for several foreign broadcasting corporations. He founded the “Ensemble Duomo,” whith whom he has toured internationally and recorded several CDs including “A Guitar for Vivaldi,” “Gershwin Classical Songs,” and “Music at the Cinema.” He is also artistic director of “I concerti della domeica” in Milan and the Festival Musica e Natura in Switzerland.

Arciuli began his musical career in 1980 after winning the first prize at the International Competition in Stresa. He plays in the National Sympoinic Orchestra RAI and performs with Ensemble Duomo. He earned a degree as virtuoso at the Superior Conservatoire in Geneva, Switzerland.

The concert is underwritten by Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi and Hotel Granduca. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jane Whatley at 713-840-8474.