Francesco Libetta

Born in Salento in southern Italy, pianist, composer-conductor, and writer Francesco Libetta initially gained recognition after he played Godowsky's fifty-three studies based on Chopin's Études; Libetta was the very first pianist to play them all live (Milan, Florence, Naples), even in a single concert (Tokyo, Brasilia, Miami). His repertoire ranges from Händel and Mozart to Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Debussy, Ravel and beyond. His recordings include all of Beethoven's piano Sonatas (first performed in Italy in 1993-94, recorded in 2020 on modern pianos and in 2026 on historical instruments); Godowsky's 53 Studies on Chopin's Studies; Paisiello (complete piano Sonatas), Liszt (Transcendental Etudes and Années de Pèlerinage), Francesco d’Avalos (who dedicated his solo piano pieces to him). The labels that have released his performances include Agorà, Sony Classical, Sony Music, Nireo, Marston, VAI, Naïve, Chandos, Danacord, PromusicaNorway, Tactus, C&Co New Recordings. The DVD recording of Libetta’s recital at the Festival de La Roque d'Anthéron (France) in 2002, filmed by Bruno Monsaingeon, was awarded the Diapason d'Or and the CHOC de Le Monde de la Musique. He is the recipient of many other awards as well. Francesco Libetta is a Steinway artist.

The New York Times calls him “a poet-aristocrat with the profile and carriage of a Renaissance prince,” while Le Monde calls him “the heir of Moritz Rosenthal, Busoni, and Godowsky,” and Corriere della Sera stresses “a touch of elegance we thought lost in the archives of piano interpretation.”

At his recital in Grazzano Visconti, Libetta drew inspiration from the birthplace of Luchino Visconti di Modrone, choosing to perform a piano transcription of Mahler’s Adagietto—a piece famously featured in Visconti's 1971 film, Death in Venice.