FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE the Italian Cultural Institute of New York
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Italian Cultural Institute of New York presents ELISA Multi-instrumentalist and Italian Platinum Superstar A Press Conference Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 6:00pm New York, 03/12/2012: The Italian Cultural Institute in New York will host on Wednesday, March 14, a meet and greet event with the multiplatinum, singer-songwriter Elisa in which the artist will perform some of the songs from her new album, Steppin’ On Water , by Decca Records. Steppin’ On Water marks Elisa’s seventh studio album, but only the third to be released in the U.S. The album elegantly showcases the multi- instrumentalist’s tender yet formidable voice and penchant for quietly powerful melodies. The artist: Discovered by music producer Caterina Caselli (of Sugar Music; also home of Andrea Bocelli) at age 16, Elisa has electrified the Italian music scene since the 1997 release of Pipes & Flowers (winner of Italy’s prestigious “Premio Tenco,” a Best Record of the Year award selected by critics). After releasing the electronica-inflected Asile’s World in 2000 and “Luce (Tramonti a Nord Est)” (her first single in her native language) the following year, Elisa went on to nab the Best Italian Act honor at the MTV European 1 Music Awards. Her third album (2000’s Then Comes the Sun ) was released in more than 20 countries across the globe. She subsequently made memorable appearances at the 2002 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Salt Lake City, as well as the 2002 Pavarotti & Friends concert, where she shared the stage with Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Sting and James Brown among others. Elisa also recorded a moving duet with the legendary Tina Turner entitled, “Teach Me Again,” in 2006. The album: Steppin’ On Water is a thoughtful collection of diverse piano and guitar driven pop songs, passionately delivered by this international star. The album is the follow-up to 2009’s Heart , her triple-platinum release which featured a breathtaking duet with Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons. (A solo rendition of the same track, “Forgiveness” appears on Steppin’ On Water ). 2008’s Dancing was also a chart-topping collection, whose title track won Elisa early acclaim after being used on the hit show, “So You Think You Can Dance?,” resulting in single sales exceeding 100,000 copies. The multi-instrumentalist’s new 11-track album was self-produced and features two songs, “Love Is Requited” and “Apologize”, from the forthcoming film "Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You," starring Oscar-winners Marcia Gay Harden and Ellen Burstyn, with Lucy Liu, Peter Gallagher, Deborah Ann Woll, and Toby Rigbo. To view the video for the movie’s theme song and the album’s first single, “Love Is Requited” please click here:.http://bcove.me/yadebebk Other highlights from the album include the pop gem “Nostalgia”, the ballad “So Much of Me”, the hauntingly beautiful “Lullaby”, her amazingly tender interpretation of Queens of the Stone Age’s “I Never Came” and a stripped-down live version of the aforementioned hit, “Dancing”. Of making the album, Elisa noted; “When I was putting this record together, I chose the songs that were more emotional and very personal. At the same time, the album has a sort of purity and lightness of mood.” For more information visit: • www.elisatoffoli.com • www.deccarecords.com • www.sugarmusic.com Press contact Eva Zanardi Director of Communications Italian Cultural Insitute of New York Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 212 879 4242 ext. 333 Fax +1 212 861-4018 2 The Italian Cultural Institute of New York Founded in 1961, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York is an office of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of Italian language and culture in the United States through the organization of cultural events. Under the guidance of its trustees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its advisory board, and its staff, the Italian Institute of Culture of New York conforms to this commitment by fostering the cultural exchange between Italy and the US in a variety of areas, from the arts to the humanities to science. Central to the Italian Cultural Institute’s mission is a constant effort to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of Italian culture by organizing and promoting cultural events in collaboration with the most prominent academic and cultural institutions of the East Coast. The Italian Cultural Institute of New York focuses on the development of initiatives aimed at showcasing Italian excellence in various fields, such as science, technology, the arts and design. The development of academic exchanges, the organization and support of visual arts exhibitions, the grants for translation and publication of Italian books, the promotion of Italian studies, and the cooperation with local institutions in planning various events that focus on Italian music, dance, cinema, theater, architecture, literature, philosophy etc., are just a few examples of the Institute’s initiatives. In conclusion, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York provides an “open window” on the cultural and social aspects of past and current Italy. For more information please visit: [email protected] 3 .