Maria Perrotta

Maria Perrotta (born in Cosenza in 1974) is an Italian classical pianist living in Paris, France.

Perrotta came to the limelight in 2012, when she performed J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations during her ninth month of pregnancy. An ambulance was stationed outside the theatre in case the artist went into labour during the recital. Very few women in history had given a concert this far into their pregnancy; one of them being Clara Schumann.

The live performance, published on CD by Decca, received rave reviews: "A perfect blend of the lush pianism of Alexis Weissenberg and the laser-like control of Glenn Gould." (Libero). "If she stays on this path, Maria Perrotta seems destined to become the Italian Rosalyn Tureck." (Corriere della Sera).

In 2013 Decca released a CD of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Opp. 109, 110 and 111 played live by Maria Perrotta. The recording was acclaimed in leading musical magazines, including Gramophone, and in major newspapers: "Where Pollini is fast and formalistic, Perrotta is analytical and expressive, but, like Pollini, always maintains a sense of formal unity." (Corriere).

Maria Perrotta has broadcast on Sky TV and on German and Italian radio. A child prodigy, she made her debut with a symphony orchestra at the age of 11 performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 at the Rendano Theatre of Cosenza, her native city.

A graduate of the Milan Conservatoire, of the École Normale de Musique in Paris and of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, she has won top prizes in numerous competitions, including the 2008 Shura Cherkassky International Piano Competition in Milan and the 2004 J.S. Bach International Piano Competition of Saarbrücken.

Maria Perrotta is married to the Italian baritone Lucio Prete, with whom she has two daughters.