“Paola is an artistic visionary….there is a kind of energy system that follows her and her work wherever she goes.”

– Philip Glass

“Ms. Prestini is known for pushing the boundaries of classical music, in part through collaborations — with poets, filmmakers and conservationists, among others.”

– The Wall Street Journal

Through an illustrious career being equal parts creator and connector, composer Paola Prestini is known both for her “otherworldly…outright gorgeous” music (The New York Times), as well  as the “visionary-in-chief” (Time Out New York) and Co-Founder/Artistic Director of the non-profit music organization National Sawdust.

Over 25 large scale artistic works are the result of Prestini joining forces with conservationists, poets, virtual reality film directors, astrophysicists, and puppeteers.

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LATEST NEWS

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September 23, 2020
Paola to participate in 'Tree of 40 Fruit: The New York Apples' at Pioneer Works on October 3
On October 3, Paola will join Pioneer Works for a planting ceremony for "Tree of 40 Fruit: The New York Apples."
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PERFORMANCES

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Contact Girls from Room 35

Erika Harrsch, visual artist Michael McQuilken, director Brad Peterson, lead animator Maya Beiser, cello Paola Prestini, composer

RECORDINGS

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February 22, 2019

Meditations on Family

Suitcased Dreams is a work for piano and violin that meditates on a moment captured long ago. Looking back to strong memories of my early childhood, this photo shows both my mother and I in a shared moment of difficulty, but with expressions that signify bonding and strength.

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COMPOSITIONS

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Old Man and The Sea

2023

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Opera

Cello grand opera inspired by Hemmingway. Libretto by Royce Vavrek, direction by Karmina Šilec, produced by Beth Morrison Projects. Workshop and premiere, The Croatian National Theater.

Sensorium Ex

2023

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Opera

Commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and the Atlanta Opera, impact producing by Enact Lab. Chamber Opera. Libretto by Brenda Shaugnessy, direction by Tomer Tzvulun.

Untitled, inspired by Film Stills

2021

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Opera

Monodrama for mezzo soprano, piano and electronics. Co-commissioned by the Kennedy Center, San Diego Opera, The Momentary at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Arts and National Sawdust.

“Visionary-in-Chief.”

– TimeOut New York

RECENT PRESS

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September 30, 2020

Paola Prestini And The Birth of Classical Music’s New Way Forward

Her music is proof against anyone who says that classical music has nowhere left to go, nothing left to say, and nobody left to engage. She produces music which seamlessly mixes genres in support of the telling of stories that classical music has not traditionally given voice to.

Women You Should Know About
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