Ittai Shapira

Israeli violinist Ittai Shapira made a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall debut in 2003 with the Orchestra of St Luke's performing the world premier of the violin concerto written for him by compatriot Shulamit Ran. The recording of this concerto is due to become part of a compilation of Ms Ran's works performed by Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Ittai Shapira's orchestral engagements include the Russian Philharmonic with Thomas Sanderling, the Czech National Symphony under Libor Pesek, the English Chamber Orchestra on tour with Yuri Bashmet at the Barbican Centre, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the London Philharmonia, the Polish Chamber Orchestra, Cape Town Philharmonic, Israeli Virtuosi at Alice Tully Hall hosted by Itzhak Perlman, the Israel Chamber Orchestra and the symphony orchestras of Jerusalem, Budapest, Shaghai, Omaha and Harrisburg. He has recently assumed the role of conductor/soloist with various chamber orchestras, including the ECO, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and the Israel Chamber Orchestra.

Ittai Shapira has performed as recitalist and chamber musician throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and China, at venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Louvre Auditorium and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. He has appeared at the Ravinia, Banff, Aspen, and Schleswig-Holstein Festivals. He also performs regularly as a chamber musician with Concertante. His discography (EMI, Meridian Records, Sanctuary Classics) represents his interest in both standard and unusual repertoire, ranging from Bruch to Berio. He is the dedicatee of 7 concertos, and in 2005 will launch a special touring project, featuring a concert piece written for him by Glen Roven, "The Runaway Bunny". He will be touring with his own composition as well, titled "Virtuoso Variations".

Ittai Shapira, who now lives in New York, grew up in Israel, where he studied with the renowned pedagogue Ilona Feher. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School with Dorothy DeLay and Robert Mann. A recipient of the prestigious Clairmont Award, Shapira has recently founded the Ilona Feher Foundation with esteemed colleague Hagai Shaham, dedicated to the nurturing and promotion of young Israeli violinists.

Ittai Shapira plays a 1745 Guadagnini Violin.