A Life Through the Strings
Maria José Borello is an Italian harpist active as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. After graduating with top marks from the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory in Venice, she is currently completing a Performance Master at ZHdK in Zürich and performing across Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.
Through the harp she seeks a sound world where resonance becomes narration.
Born in 2002, Maria José began her harp studies at the age of 6 at the Academia Montis Regalis in Mondovì (CN), and added piano studies at 13, following the Royal Academy of London path for both instruments and achieving outstanding results. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree with top marks at the “Benedetto Marcello” Conservatory of Music in Venice (VE), she is currently pursuing a Performance Master at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHDK) under the guidance of Professor Sarah O’Brien.
Winner of the First Prize at the 7th Swiss International Music Competition (2024), Maria José focuses her career on the orchestral and chamber music field, while also dedicating herself to teaching and mentoring young musicians.
Her performance career has taken her to some of the most prestigious venues in Europe, and has allowed her to collaborate with renowned institutions and artists, including Tonhalle (Zurich) and Victoria Hall (Geneva) under the direction of John Axelrod; Teatro la Fenice (Venice) for the world premiere of the Opera “Marco Polo”; Philharmonie (Berlin) with the Deutsch-Skandinavische Jugend-Philharmonie; Fondazione Querini Stampalia (Venice) in collaboration with “Gli Amici della Fenice” for the festival “Note d’estate”; Teatro Verdi (Trieste) with the European Spirit of Youth Orchestra; among others.