February 20, 2004

Piano perfection at University festival

Nelita True

The elegant, entertaining and educational Piano Festival returns to California State University, Sacramento this spring with piano performances and master classes Feb. 29 and March 1, with an additional master class March 20.

Renowned pianist Nelita True opens the festival with a concert featuring works by Schumann, Liszt, Mozart, Chopin, Haydn, Faure and Poulenc at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 29, in the Musical Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall. Since her debut at 17 with the Chicago Symphony, True’s vibrant playing has taken her to concerts halls in Europe, Asia and nearly every state in the nation. “True is an extraordinary pianist and exemplary musician… many a lyric soprano would covet the way (she) can turn a phrase,” says The Boston Globe.

She has served as a visiting professor in St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia and has taught master classes in China. Currently she is a professor of piano at the Eastman School of Music.

Tickets for True’s performance are $10 general, $8 for students and seniors, and available from the CSUS Ticket Office at 278-4323 and at Tickets.com.

Festival events continue the following day with free master classes by CSUS professors Richard Cionco, Kirsten Smith and Lorna Peters from
2 to 8 p.m., March 1, in Capistrano Hall 151. A free showcase concert by CSUS music students follows that evening at 8 p.m. in Capistrano Hall 151.

Pianist Lino Rivera will present another free master class at 2 p.m.,
March 20, in Capistrano 151. Rivera has performed as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and accompanist on three continents, and been a featured performer with the Manila Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a member of the performing arts faculty at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif.

For more information call (916) 278-5155. For media assistance, contact CSUS public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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