Italian pianist and conductor Giuseppe Mentuccia has appeared as a performer in prestigious venues such as the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Chigiana Academy in Siena, Teatro Carignano in Turin, Alice Tully Hall, and the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. This season, Mr. Mentuccia joined the music staff of the Metropolitan Opera in the productions of Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, and both Puccini’s Turandot and Tosca. Invited by Daniel Barenboim, he also served as assistant conductor for the productions of Debussy's Pélleas et Mélisande and Verdi’s Macbeth at the Berlin Staatsoper. After working with Robert Kettelson, specializing in Italian operatic repertoire, he was appointed collaborative pianist at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Mr. Mentuccia’s many awards include the Premio Vittoria, as best graduate of the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia, first prize at the Rotary Club International Music Competition, and first prize at the Juilliard Stravinsky Concerto Competition. Mr. Mentuccia is a graduate of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, The Juilliard School, and the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.