Violinist Francesco D’Orazio, soloist at La Scala, Milan, the Berlin Philharmonie, the Royal Albert Hall, London accompanied by pianist Giampaolo Nuti, arrives in South Africa in April 2026.
In partnership with Wits University and UNISA, the Italian Cultural Institute in Pretoria presents two performances of the duo: in Johannesburg and Pretoria on 17 and 19 April 2026, respectively. Both concerts will feature a compelling programme spanning Classical, twentieth-century, and contemporary repertoire, with works by Beethoven, Berio, Hofmeyr, and Stravinsky.
About the Artists
Francesco D’Orazio – Violin
Francesco D’Orazio was awarded in 2010 the Premio Abbiati as Best Italian Soloist of the Year. Renowned for his versatility, he has graduated in both violin and viola, and his repertoire ranges from Baroque music on original instruments to contemporary works and music for violin and electronics. A leading advocate of new music, he has premiered more than twenty violin concertos and collaborated closely with composers such as Luciano Berio. He has appeared as soloist with many of the world’s foremost orchestras and he currently teaches Violin at the conservatories of Bari and Milan.
Giampaolo Nuti – Piano
Giampaolo Nuti is an internationally active pianist and harpsichordist, performing extensively as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. His repertoire spans from Bach to contemporary composers, and he has appeared as soloist with numerous orchestras in major concerto repertoire. He released several critically acclaimed recordings, including the first European recording of Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto. Nuti is teaches Piano at the “Luigi Cherubini” Conservatoire in Florence.
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A major, Op. 30 No. 2 (1802)
Luciano Berio (1925–2003)
Due Pezzi for Violin and Piano (1969)
Hendrik Hofmeyr (b. 1957)
Endymion and the Moon for Violin and Piano (2008)
Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
Suite Italienne for Violin and Piano (1934)
Event Details
Johannesburg
- Date: Friday, 17 April 2026
- Time: 19:00
- Venue: Wits Chris Seabrooke Music Hall, Johannesburg
- Bookings: To be announced soon
Pretoria
- Date: Sunday, 19 April 2026
- Time: 16:00
- Venue: UNISA – Miriam Makeba Hall, Pretoria
- Bookings: To be announced soon
Join us for an exclusive tour where expressive dialogue, virtuosity, and musical imagination will come together on stage.