Pianist

The light and shade between Schubert’s Moments Musicaux, his gently lilting A major sonata and emotionally intense late C minor sonata, are expertly revealed by one of the foremost pianists of our time.

Peter Donohoe (piano)

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Even the most modern biographers have failed to dispel the cloud of uncertainty surrounding Verdi's first opera regarding its genesis and literary sources. The composer himself, moreover, was rather vague on the subject in his memoirs dictated to Giulio Ricordi in 1879, in which he recounted how his friendship with Pietro Massini began. Massini, whom he relied on to establish himself in the Milanese theater world, played an important role in the composition of this first opera. While studying in Milan, his teacher Lavigna had introduced him to the Philharmonic Society, one of those associations where amateur musicians performed concerts after the decline of musical evenings held in the salons of aristocratic homes. One day, when one of the resident conductors was absent from rehearsals for Haydn's oratorio, The Creation , Massini asked Verdi to take the harpsichord and conduct the orchestra. Having overcome the initial mistrust of the Philharmonic, the young composer enjoyed such success that he was entrusted with the direction of the concert. Verdi had thus earned the esteem and friendship of Massini, who entrusted him with the composition of an opera and provided him with the libretto. However, nothing more is known about the opera until 1836, when, from the correspondence Verdi exchanged with Massini from Busseto, where he had returned to take up the direction of the School of Music, we learn that by September it was already completed "except for those small gaps that needed to be fixed by the poet." Another letter from 1837 mentions the title Rocester and the name of the librettist, Antonio Piazza, for the first time. In 1839, when Verdi returned to Milan with his score, Rocester was no longer mentioned , but Oberto conte di San Bonifacio . Beyond the composer's expectations, the opera was rehearsed for performance at Milan's most prestigious theater, thanks to the practice of annually featuring a debutant's work. That very year, the choice, sponsored by Massini, fell on Oberto , which was supposed to have an exceptional cast that included soprano Giuseppina Strepponi, tenor Napoleone Moriani, baritone Giorgio Ronconi, and bass Ignazio Marini. However, before the opera was performed, a real twist occurred, as Verdi himself recounted, according to Arthur Pugin's account in his book Verdi: Anecdotal History of His Life and Works.: «The parts were distributed and some singing rehearsals had just begun, when Moriani became seriously ill! […] so everything was interrupted and I could no longer think about performing my opera! […] I was left in the lurch and was thinking of returning to Busseto, when one morning a servant from La Scala came to me and brusquely said: «Are you that maestro from Parma who was supposed to perform an opera for the Pio Istituto? […] Come to the theatre, the impresario is calling you». – And I went.

Verdi/Mozart/Prokofiev

Teatro Politeama Garibaldi

Between Wednesday 13 – Saturday 23 August, Chetham’s International Piano Summer School brings world class and legendary musicians to a vibrant, supportive community in central Manchester. Alongside lectures, open lessons and opportunities to develop new skills, you can discover a daily programme of recitals from world-class performers.

Pianist

Peter Donohoe

Events

Past events

Sep 15, 2026

Peter Donohoe (piano) · Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

6 - 7 Feb, 2026

Verdi/Mozart/Prokofiev · Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana

Future and recently performed repertoire

Piano in Moments Musicaux by Schubert

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Piano in Piano Sonata in C minor by Schubert

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Piano in Piano Sonata in A major by Schubert

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Piano in Fantasia Contrapuntistica by Busoni

The Stoller Hall

Piano in Sonata in Bb major by Beethoven

The Stoller Hall

Piano in Concerto per pianoforte e orchestra n. 20 by Mozart

Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana

About

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