12 January 2005

Greater Shepparton and its Steinway grand piano are set to become one of the main attractions of an international music, food and wine festival later this month.

The Council’s Manager Performing Arts and Conventions, Mr Rob Robson, said he had been approached by celebrity chef Stefano de Pieri to include Shepparton in the initiation of a festival involving towns along the length of the Murray and its tributaries.

“After hearing about the Steinway, Stefano and his brother Sergio, an internationally renowned musician, organist, teacher and artistic director, invited us to be involved,” Mr Robson said.

Sergio and Stefano de Pieri have brought together some of Italy’s and Australia’s finest classical musicians to perform in a number of places along the rivers, and Shepparton will feature with performances at the Eastbank Centre and Wesley Uniting Church Hall.

“Concert pianist from Venice, Dimitri Romano, will perform a recital on the Steinway at the Eastbank Centre on Friday 28th January from 8.00 pm.  His program will include pieces by Mozart, Chopin, Rossini, Faure and Strauss.”

“Sergio de Pieri will perform on the beautiful pipe organ at Wesley Uniting Church Hall in Maude Street, Shepparton from 7.30 pm on Saturday 30th January.  He will be accompanied by vocalists Rafaella Benori and Domenico Menini in a concert titled ‘Sacred Music from the Romantic Period’, featuring works by Gounod, Verdi, Schumann, Rossini, Brahms and Mozart.”

“He will also perform an original piece dedicated to the ‘Grande Fiume Murray’, composed by de Pieri himself,” Mr Robson added.

“It would be great if Greater Shepparton could be part of this major festival initiative in the future, and it fits very well with other tourist and cultural development opportunities,” Mr Robson concluded.

For more information or to book tickets, please contact the Riverlinks Box Office on 5832 9511, or visit the Eastbank Centre in Welsford Street, Shepparton.