Marco Di Marzio, 43
Clinical pharmacist
Dublin, Ireland
Italy

Marco Di Marzio credits his new teacher, Dr. Archie Chen at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, for reigniting his passion for piano, which began at age 8 after hearing Beethoven’s Für Elise. Born in Atri, Italy, Mr. Di Marzio was accepted into the Luisa d’Annunzio Conservatory in Pescara, Italy at age 10, but by 18 his enthusiasm waned for the instrument after studying under a difficult teacher. When he was 28, he left Italy to pursue a master’s degree in organic chemistry at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and was excited that the Royal Academy was nearby. He began to study the instrument again, receiving his Licentiate diploma in piano from Trinity College in 2014, and entered amateur competitions, master classes, and festivals. Three years ago, Mr. Di Marzio, who works as a senior clinical pharmacist at a Dublin hospital, took a six-week course at the Buddhism Centre. Since then, he has practiced meditation daily as well as yoga, both of which he says have had a huge impact on his piano practice.

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE

Preliminary Round
SCARLATTI   Sonata in B Minor, K. 27
GRANADOS   “Los requiebros” from Goyescas, op. 11

Quarterfinal Round
BACH-SILOTI   Prelude in B Minor, BWV 855a
LISZT   “Vallée d’Obermann” from Années de Pèlerinage

Semifinal Round
MOZART   Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K. 576
CHOPIN   Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise Brillante, op. 22

Final Round
SAINT-SAËNS   Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, op. 22: I. Andante sostenuto