Christian Schmitz

Born in Milan, he graduated in piano from the Conservatoire of his home city under Maestro Sergio Lattes. He then furthered his studies with Maestro Boris Petrushansky, Prof. Nelly Ben-Or and Prof. Maria Luisa Franco, graduating with honours under the latter at the “A. Boito” Conservatoire in Parma.

As a soloist he has distinguished himself in numerous concerts, showing a particular predilection for twentieth-century repertoire. He has performed in Italy and abroad in prestigious venues such as Steinway Hall in London, the Politeama Garibaldi in Palermo, the Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona and the Sala Napoleonica of the Circolo della Stampa in Milan, collaborating with organisations such as the Académie de France in Rome and the Fondazione Ricci in Udine.

Alongside his solo career he has cultivated chamber music, starting at a very young age under the guidance of Maria Leali and playing piano four hands, with two pianos, strings, winds and percussion.

He also trained as a composer under Prof. Sonia Bo, and furthered his studies with Maestro Azio Corghi at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. Since 2007 he has devoted himself to rediscovering the Italian swing and light repertoire of the 1930s and 1940s: with the producer Giorgio Bozzo he founded the theatre company Le Sorelle Marinetti, of which he is pianist, arranger and vocal director — and the Orchestra Maniscalchi, taking these projects to Italy’s major theatres and to stages in Switzerland and France, with seven albums produced.

He has worked as a vocal coach on the “Operando” courses, alongside Maestro Francesco Lanzillotta and Maestro Bruno Taddia.

He currently teaches piano at the Liceo Musicale Carlo Tenca in Milan.