Interview with Lucia Micarelli
Roger: As a violinist, you have performed both as a soloist with orchestras and as a collaborator with artists like Josh Groban and Chris Botti. How do you go about preparing for these different opportunities and what do you enjoy about them?
Lucia: I feel so lucky and grateful to have a diverse musical life where I’m able to perform in so many different contexts - classical venues with orchestras, or with pop and jazz artists in massive arenas, or in theaters and clubs playing my own solo shows. I love bringing classical music and a classical instrument to a wide range of spaces and audiences, and nothing makes me happier than sharing music I love (of all genres) with people. I’d say I prepare for all performances the same way - technically first, then a lot of time trying to find tone and personality, then processing it all into my brain and body as much as possible so I can be free in the moment.
Roger: This will be your debut with OSM. Can you tell us about the three works that you will be performing with the orchestra and why they are special to you?
Lucia: I’m so excited to be making my debut with OSM! All the pieces I am performing with the orchestra are very special to me. Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saëns is a wonderfully virtuosic, sassy and sexy piece that I’ve loved since I was a kid. It’s so much fun. Meditation from Thais is another one I’ve loved since an early age, and it is just so beautiful and passionate and moving. Also, Nature Boy is one of my favorite standards of all time and I think the lyrics are so beautiful and powerful, and it will be all the more epic with an orchestra.
Roger: Can you tell us about the violin that you will be performing on?
Lucia: I am so grateful to be using a beautiful old Italian violin on loan from a dear friend. It is gorgeous and my favorite violin companion I’ve had in my life.
Roger: Do you have any advice for aspiring young violinists (or musicians) who may be interested in pursuing music but aren’t quite sure?
Lucia: By all means, pursue it. A life with music is a richer, more beautiful, more expansive life in general. And a life IN music doesn’t always come from pursuing it as a career - more often it comes as a byproduct of curiosity and dedication to the craft. If music brings you joy, then play music, make music, study music - the rest will come in time, and you will never be sorry that you nurtured a relationship with music in your life, even if you go onto pursue other things as a career.
Roger: Any interesting projects or concerts coming up that you can share with our audience?
Lucia: I have concerts coming up in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, alongside various recording and writing projects. Most recently, I composed and performed the original score for an HBO documentary called “Murder in Boston” - a wonderful three part series directed by the brilliant Jason Hehir that I’m very proud to have been a part of. It’s available now on HBO!
*** For more information about Lucia, visit luciamicarelli.com ***
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