'International First Lady of Piano' to perform at Ritz

Teresa Walters, often referred to as the International First Lady of Piano, will be live in concert at The Ritz Civic Center in Blytheville at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.

Her program, titled "Moonlight and Romance: Cameos of Great Composers and Well-Loved Melodies," will include works by Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt and Gershwin's classic "Rhapsody in Blue," among others.

The program is presented by The Arts Council of Mississippi County as the third program of its 2013-14 Series. Advance tickets are $15, and tickets the evening of the show will be $20.

Walters has performed on six continents and in most of the 50 United States, earning the world's highest praise for her solo recitals and performances as guest artist with orchestras. Whether performing for European royalty in Esterhazy Palace or fundraising for children's charities in Delhi, Walters is a musical ambassador at home and abroad. She has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, Wigmore Hall in London, the Salle Cortot in Paris, and the Great Hall of Moscow. International tours have included Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Australia, Russia, Japan, India, China, The Phillipines, Brazil, Romania, Spain and Israel.

Walters is the first American pianist invited by Hungary to perform three prestigious European recitals honoring the anniversary of Franz Liszt's birthday. She holds a doctoral degree from Peabody Conservatory, and is committed to music as "the universal language," and at each performance she shares her "Keynote Comments" which provide interesting background and insights into the pieces being performed.

The American Record Guide writes: "Her competition is virtually nil." And The New York Times wrote: "The crashing octave runs were all right on the mark. Not a note was smudged in the pages of intricate passagework." Another reviewer wrote: "Teresa Walters' playing proved to me and the audience that she deserves to be in the top tier of piano soloists in the world." Austrian National Television announced, "Teresa Walters is one of the world's most significant pianists, she creates magic with the music."

For additional information, to become a patron or corporate sponsor, to purchase tickets, or to know more about the programs offered by The Arts Council of Mississippi County, call 870-762-1744, email www.artsmissco@yahoo.com or visit www.artsmissco.org.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com