Irene Russo

Irene Russo is an acclaimed Italian pianist born in 1974 who has been praised by the legendary Martha Argerich as "one of the best young musicians I have ever heard in my life". She studied with notable teachers such as Alexander Lonquich, Lazar Berman, and Alicia de Larrocha and won the Clara Schumann Piano Competition in 2000, launching her international career. Russo has performed on major stages worldwide, including the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and has collaborated with artists across disciplines, blending classical piano with experimental and contemporary music.

Her recordings, particularly of Simeon Ten Holt’s "Canto Ostinato," have been highly successful, with one live album achieving a "Golden Record" in the Netherlands and becoming one of the best-selling classical albums there. Besides performing, she is also a respected teacher, working at conservatories in Antwerp and Venice. Russo is recognized as a versatile pianist who embraces both historic repertoire like Liszt and contemporary compositions, captivating audiences with her expressive and refined playing.