Internationally renowned performers Qing Li, violinist, and Paolo Andre Gualdi, pianist, at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 14, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

Since 1990, the Piatigorsky Foundation has presented more than 3,775 performances, introducing the joy of live classical music in communities throughout the country. Piatigorsky artists play for audiences including seniors, schoolchildren, the economically disadvantaged, and those living in geographically remote areas.

The Piatigorsky Foundation differs from traditional arts organizations in that its performers present music in nontraditional venues and in a highly communicative format that is geared to each particular audience.

Piatigorsky Foundation musicians are chosen for their artistry and ability to engage audiences through lively discussion. Artists share anecdotes and insights into the works they will perform. Concerts take place in informal settings including retirement communities, schools, churches, synagogues, hospitals, workplaces, libraries, and community centers.

Qing Li, Violinist

Qing Li is the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Second Violin, appointed by Yuri Temirkanov in 2000 upon winning the audition. She is frequently featured as a soloist. Other solo engagements have included the Butterfly Lovers Concerto at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, the Haydn violin concerto with the Richmond Symphony and the Bach Double Concerto with Hilary Hahn to name a few. She has also been a guest concertmaster at the Iceland Symphony in Reykjavik and she is a member of the PBS production, the All Star Orchestra.

Born in Beijing, Li began violin studies at age four with her father, Zhen-Kun Li. At age 12, Qing Li was accepted to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. There, she was discovered at a master class by Berl Senofsky, the first American to win the Queen Elizabeth International Violin Competition.

Li won her first position in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, playing on a $100 Chinese violin, a gift from her father. She currently performs on her Neopolitain instrument made by Nicolo Gagliano in 1736.

Paolo André Gualdi, Pianist

Italian pianist Paolo André Gualdi has performed recitals in Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil and the United States. He has also appeared with many orchestras including the Georgia Philharmonic, Wilmington Symphony, Atlanta Philharmonic, Florence Symphony, DeKalb Symphony, and the Universidade de Caxias do Sul Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded for Mark Records and IFO Classics, and his performances have been broadcasted by the BBC, NPR and Radio Vaticana.

Gualdi began studying piano with his father at the age of five, and continued at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome. He earned his Piano Diploma with highest honors at the Conservatory Arrigo Boito in Parma. While in the U.S., he earned a Master Degree at Carnegie Mellon University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Georgia.

He has won the top prize in numerous piano competitions, including the European Competition of Ostuni, the Altruda National Competition of Vasto and the Françoise Grimaldi National Competition of San Polo. Winning the “De Martino Award” at the Ibla International Piano Competition enabled him to study at Elon University. During this period, he won First Prize in the 15th Bartók-Kabalevsky International Competition.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.