Hailed as a "gifted and versatile" soloist who displays "a full measure of technical wizardry and cantabile resonance," violinist Christina Castelli has shared her dynamic performances with audiences worldwide, including those in cities throughout the Americas, Europe, and Africa. She has appeared as soloist with ensembles including the Cleveland, Minnesota, Colombian National, and Belgian National Orchestras, as well as the Atlanta, National, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Colorado, Alabama, and Nashville Symphonies. As a recitalist, she made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004 and has performed in such venues as Ravinia, the Kennedy Center, Le Monnaie, and the Chicago Cultural Center.
A huge proponent of audience involvement, Ms. Castelli draws on the audience's prior knowledge of music and her experience interacting with large groups to make each concert a highly personal encounter with her, her collaborators, and the works on the program. As a result of earning her bachelor's degree in chemistry at Harvard University, and her master's degree in violin performance at The Juilliard School, Ms. Castelli is in a unique position to relate to her audiences, not only through their love of music but also through a passion for academia. She is equally comfortable onstage as off and has been known to join audience members for dinner and a healthy discussion of anything from nanotechnology to cooking techniques after a concert.
Ms. Castelli also enjoys playing viola and has joined countless colleagues in chamber music performances on both the violin and viola. She is a former member of International Sejong Soloists and went to the Aspen Music Festival with the group several times as the ensemble-in-residence. She has also performed with Metamorphosen, as well as in many trios, quartets, and quintets, including those at the Vancouver Summer Music Festival.
The only American-born Laureate of the 2001 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition of Brussels, Ms. Castelli has also earned awards for her viola playing, and was named the grand prize winner of the 1997 William Primrose International Viola Competition. She has also won first prize in the Sphinx, Juilliard Concerto, Harvard Concerto, California Young Artists, Holland-America, and numerous other competitions.
Born and raised in a suburb of Chicago, Ms. Castelli comes from a diverse background of non-musicians: her father, an architect, was born and raised in Colombia, while her mother, a middle school teacher, lived in France and Spain as a child. Ms. Castelli has one older sister, who is also a school teacher and enjoys playing violin as a hobby. Ms. Castelli began playing violin at age 3 and instantly took to it. She now lives in New York City, where she relishes the opportunity to be amazed by the multimedia products of the millions of incredible artists there, as well as to have dozens of bakeries within a stone's throw to satisfy her keen sweet tooth.
“Christina Castelli…displayed a full measure of technical wizardry and cantabile resonance…”
(Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy; National Symphony)
- The Washington Post
“The sought-after soloist [Christina Castelli] played the piece with much passion, attacking the difficult passages with confidence and fervor and wowing the crowd with her deft command of the instrument.”
(Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole; Pittsburgh Symphony)
- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“Guest soloist Christina Castelli graced the stage in a formal…evening backless strap and simply ripped this demanding work with big sound, seamless passagework and deep loyalty for melodic direction, most obvious during the second movement…her entrances were superbly timed and provided clear definition to the orchestral phrase.”
(Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2; Brevard Repertory Orchestra)
- Classical Voice North Carolina
“One could definitely enjoy Castelli, an assured performer who impressed not just with her poise but with her fluency and robust, sweet tone…the concerto’s gorgeous ‘Andante cantabile’ really did sing in Castelli’s and the orchestra’s hands…”
(Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4; Ann Arbor Symphony)
- The Ann Arbor News
“[Castelli’s] playing…was particularly polished, with portamenti sounding effortless and graceful, and delicate harmonics sounding clear and pitch perfect. Castelli is gifted and versatile…”
(Recital; Carnegie Hall)
- The New York Concert Review
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