Anthony di Bonaventura

Anthony di Bonaventura (November 12, 1929  – November 12, 2012) was an American pianist and Professor of Music at Boston University's College of Fine Arts for 40 years. He was the director of a Piano Institute at Colby College Piano Institute (1978–2003) and then at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (2004–12). Early life Anthony di Bonaventura was born on November 12, 1929 in Follansbee, West Virginia. He was the son of Ferdinando di Bonaventura, a barber, and Rosaria "Rose" (née Santomo) di Bonaventura. Anthony began piano studies at the age of three and gave the first professional concert at the age of four. Then he won a scholarship to New York's Music School Settlement at six. At thirteen, he appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic. At sixteen, he became a pupil of Isabelle Vengerova and later entered the Curtis Institute of Music, where he continued his studies with Vengerova and graduated with highest honors. Career Enthusiastic acclaim by critics and audiences came early in his career. After his Washington debut, Paul Hume of The Washington Post'''' wrote: "He can stand with the great players of Mozart's keyboard music." His brilliant performances in an early European tour led to his selection by the great conductor Otto Klemperer to perform the complete Beethoven Concerti at the London Beethoven Festival.