Laura Marchese

Biography

Laura Marchese is an italian harpist born in Catania in 1996. She began her musical studies at the Istituto Superiore di Studi Musicali “Vincenzo Bellini” of Catania in 2011 where she took her first steps in the world of musical performances. In 2018 she obtained the Bachelor Degree cum laude in Harp under the guidance of M° Antonio Ostuni at the “Vincenzo Bellini” conservatoire. After graduating, she moved to Belgium to continue her musical studies at the Institut Royal Supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie in Namur where she is currently attending the Master course of harp in music performance under the guidance of M° Sophie Hallynck, M° Aurore Grailet (first harp of the Orchestre Philarmonique de Liège) and M° Luisa Prandina (first harp of the La Scala Theatre Orchestra).

With a great passion for challenges she participated in various competitions such as the 1st International Harp Competition “Nicanor Zabaleta” (1st prize) ; the 2nd International Harp Competition “Nicanor Zabaleta” (1° prize with distinction);  VII International Music Competition AMIGDALA. Memorial “Giuseppe Raciti” (1st prize); the 19th National Music Competition “Placido Mandanici Award” (1st prize); the VIII International Music Competition AMIGDALA. Memorial “Giuseppe Raciti” (1st prize);  the 20th National Music Competition “Città di Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto”. Premio Placido Mandanici (2nd prize).

Driven by her desire for research and knowledge, Laura Marchese played in the masterclasses of internationally renowned harp masters such as M° Mario Falcao (Showroom Salvi Harps – Milano 2016); M° Letizia Belmondo (Conservatorio Statale di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” – Torino 2017); M° Lincoln Almada (Conservatorio Statale di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” – Torino 2017); M° Luisa Prandina (Garda Lake Music Academy – Desenzano del Garda 2017/2018); M° Anaïs Gaudemard   (Moncada Palace – Caltanissetta 2017); M° Sophie Hallynck (Institut Royal Supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie – Namur 2018); M° Chantal Mathieu (Institut Royal Supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie – Namur 2019); M° Maria Palatine (Institut Royal Supérieur de Musique et de Pédagogie – Namur 2019/2020).

She performed in the historical places of her country and in concert and seminar halls in Belgium at events promoted by committees and cultural associations as a soloist, chamber music groups and orchestras.

Engaged in the research and execution of new harp repertoire and with a deep interest in contemporary music, Laura Marchese collaborated with the flutist Eugenia Cantone and the composer Riccardo Maira realizing the italian recorded premiere of his composition for harp and flute “Der Tod und das Mädchen Suite, II. Ars Moriendi”.