“New York retains a remarkable cadre of composers... but chief among these is the singular figure of Paola Prestini.”

– Financial Times

“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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July 19, 2021
Paola Prestini and Jeffrey Zeigler announce Houses of Zodiac: Poems for Cello, a new album, film, and video installation
Houses of Zodiac is Prestini's first solo album collaboration with husband Jeffrey Zeigler.
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PERFORMANCES

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The Red Book at Caramoor

Thalea Quartet performs the world premiere of Paola's string quartet 'The Red Book' at Caramoor on April 11, 2021

RECORDINGS

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September 10, 2021

Houses of Zodiac: Poems for Cello

On September 10, 2021, composer Paola Prestini and cellist Jeffrey Zeigler will release 'Houses of Zodiac: Poems for Cello,' an album, film, and immersive video installation that combines spoken word, movement, music, and image to explore the intersection of mind, body, and nature.

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COMPOSITIONS

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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.

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.

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.

“New York retains a remarkable cadre of composers...chief among these is the singular figure of Paola Prestini”

– Financial Times

RECENT PRESS

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June 22, 2021

Beth Morrison and National Sawdust Collaborate on a “21st-Century Liederabend”

As we emerge from the pandemic, BMP and Prestini’s National Sawdust (the innovative new music center she co-founded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn) are upping the ante with 21c Liederabend, op. Worldwide (digital), which they’re staging as a broadcast-only event beginning on June 27 on The WNET Group’s All Arts television channel and streaming app.

San Francisco Classical Voice
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