Acclaimed pianist to give Middletown concert for Rotary benefit

Francesco Attesti is an internationally acclaimed classical pianist from Italy, but he is also a Rotarian. Next month, just a few weeks before an appearance in Washington, D.C., Attesti will perform in Middletown.

“We are excited and honored that he chose Middletown for one of his benefit concerts,” said Ann Munafo, president of the Middletown Rotary Club. “He is a fellow Rotarian who is helping the Rotary clubs in the U.S. to raise funds for their local projects.”

Munafo said any funds raised from Attesti’s concert in Middletown will be used for the local club’s youth projects including the Dictionary Project that provides dictionaries to all third-graders in the area.

Munafo said Attesti has played Rotary benefit concerts for several years when comes to the U.S. If they are successful, sometimes he returns.

“We hope to have a big crowd, so he will come back,” she said.

Attesti, who will be playing at Kennedy Center in November, began practicing the piano at the age of six and gave his first concert at age 11, performing a transcription of the “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by Bach. He has recorded a number of CDs and performs regularly in international concert halls, according to his biography.

Attesti will be performing “The Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach” at the free concert to be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Church of the Ascension, 2709 McGee Ave. A freewill contribution will be offered.

The piece Attesti will perform in Middletown will consist of an aria and a set of 3o variations. They were first published in 1741.

A VIP reception will also be held for $50 per person. For more information about the reception, call or email Munafo at ann.munafo@gmail.com or 513-422-5411.

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