MARIA ARSIENI

Italy

Born in the province of Vercelli, Maria Arsieni has dedicated her life to music. She studied at the G.B. Viotti Singing Academy, specializing under Rosetta Noli and Zita Fumagalli. During the 1970s through the early 1980s, she established herself as a lyric soprano.

Her connection with the Vercelli music world was strengthened by her marriage to Joseph Robbone, founder of the Viotti International Music Competition and Manifestazioni Viottiane. After her husband’s passing, Maria Arsieni continued to carry on his legacy, assuming the leadership of the Quartet Society since 1985. In this role she was able to passionately direct the Viotti Music Competition. She was a jury member for the Viotti Opera Singing Competition in the 1985 and 1993 editions.

For her tireless activity and commitment to the world of music, she has received prestigious awards: in 1993, President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro awarded her the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. She has also been awarded the “We Build” award from Kiwanis and the “Paul Harris Fellow” from Rotary International.