MONACO ’ S GOT TALENT
piano concerto n ° 1 with the Slovak Sinfonietta Orchestra conducted by Maestro Misha Katz .
On 5 June 2022 Stella took part in the “ 39th Festival des Heures Musicales ” in Biot , performing Grieg ’ s sonata for piano and cello with Gautier Capuçon .
Hello Monaco journalists posed some questions to Stella and her mother Nathalie Bijou .
Hello Monaco : Stella , how did you start your music career ?
Stella Almondo : I ’ ve always had a consuming passion for the piano ! Having discovered this instrument at a very young age , back in nursery school , I have devoted my life to it
Photo : SBM
A concert under the glass dome in the Hermitage Hotel Выступление в отеле « Эрмитаж »
ever since . I started giving my very first concerts at the age of 10 .
: Tell us about your schedule . How many times a week do you practice music ? Do you have time for hobbies or friends ? How do you combine music with studying in school ?
Stella : I practice an average of 6 hours a day . I am lucky enough to be doing distance schooling through CNED , getting to devote my entire days to music ! Whenever I have time though , I really enjoy reading , writing , cinema , chess , the art of magic or talking to my friends .
: You took part in the famous TV show “ Prodiges ” on France 2 . Tell us about your emotions on stage .
Stella : It was a very powerful moment and a unique experience . “ Prodiges ” was my childhood dream ! Once on stage , above all , I ’ ve had a sensation of enormous pleasure ! It was the first time I was performing with an orchestra , in front of my entire family . It was also a chance to receive precious advice and to meet some wonderful people !
: You recently shared the stage with the famous cellist Gautier Capuçon . Can you give advice on how to find the right connection with another musician ? What is your secret ?
Stella : I was instantly on the same wavelength as Gautier Capuçon ! I believe that it is all about listening to each other carefully , concentrating on the music and the present moment only . You have to be one and all with the composer , the cello and the piano .
: At your young age you already took masterclasses from the leading world-famous teachers : Jacques Rouvier , Mira Marchenko , Marie-Josèphe Jude , Akiko Ebi , Rena Schereshevskaya , Natalia Trull , Maestro Misha Katz . Is there a musician or teacher you would like to play together with ?
Stella : I wouldn ’ t be able to choose just one musician ! Every teacher and performer I meet brings something special , unique and individual . Working with such talented musicians is extremely enriching and important to me !
: You have participated in a huge number of competitions around the world . How do you prepare for a performance ? How do you deal with stress ?
Stella : I don ’ t like the word ‘ stress ’ and ‘ competition ’. I just don ’ t think about it when I go on stage , in front of an audience or a jury . I feel the adrenaline , bubbling away together with the eagerness and excitement . And
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