Photo by:Remo Buess

Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi (bandoneon, accordeon) Turkiye Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi was born in Atessa on December 26th 1980. He began studying the accordion at the age of nine before switching to the bandoneon later.

From 1993 to 2001, he studied at the F. Fenaroli Civic Music school in Lanciano with M° C. Calista and with M° C. Chiacchiaretta. In 2007, he graduated with honours from Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Music in Rome. In 2006, he resided at the Montreal Jazz Festival “I colori del mare” with Gabriele Mirabassi and Pietro Tonolo a project of the EGEA record company.
On 25th May 2009, he played at the Colosseo (Rome) with M° Andrea Bocelli, Angela Gheorghiu, Andrea Griminelli and the Abruzzo Symphony Orchestra. The event “L’alba separa dalla luce l’ombra” was in aid of the earthquake victims of Abruzzo. It was exclusively broadcast worldwide on RAI 1 and RAI SAT.

On December 25th 2010, he performed with the Orchestra Giovanile Italiana in Concerto per la Vita e per la Pace (Concert for Life and Peace), worldwide broadcast by RAI in Bethlehem.
On June 1st 2011, he performed at the Arena of Verona together with Erwin Schrott during the festivities for the 150th anniversary of the Italian unification.
The show was broadcast live by Rai 1.

Together with Erwin Schrott and Anna Netrebko, he performed in the most important cities in Germany, England and Denmark in 2012. In the same year, he recorded theDVD "Live in Portofino" on a guest appearance with Andrea Bocelli. In 2013, he performed on a guest appearance with Andrea Bocelli, Riccardo Cocciante, Pino Daniele and Simona Molinari at the event "Teatro del Silenzio". On February 22 2014, he performed at the Ulker Sports Arena in Istanbul together with Andrea Bocelli.

In 2018 recorded “Tango Seasons” for Sony Records, alongside Andrés Gabetta leading the fantastic baroque ensemble Cappella Gabetta. Apart from frequently performing in Italy, he has been giving concerts in England, France, Belgium, Denmark, Croatia, Serbia, Germany, the U.S.A., Poland, Portugal, Finland, Switzerland, Hungary, Canada, Armenia, Russia, Israel, Bosnia
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Turkey, Libano, Ukraine, Uruguay, Kazakhstan, Belarus and China.

ABOUT ME

Tonino Guerra
Poet – Screenwriter
Since I happened to listen to Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi’s concertos, I seem to have rediscovered the accordion and the air that surrounds me either here in Italy or in the streets of Moscow, often accompanies me with the echo of those sounds. The enjoyment that takes me I am sure will happen to all those who will be lucky enough to listen to it.
In this Concert in Minsk, the acrobatics of the notes is accompanied by the gestures of this artist that add magic to magic.

Pippo Caruso
Composer – Arranger
I met Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi on the occasion of a program in which I told the story of musical instruments.  That week the protagonist was the accordion. I asked for advice from expert friends in the field to contact great soloists and, almost all of them, the first name they gave me was that of Pietrodarchi.  We met to prepare for that show and so I was able to discover his great talent also with the bandoneon, a talent that allows him to pass through different genres without ever losing the elegance, the taste, the wonderful ability to enter each song with the emotional involvement that transpires not only from the notes but from every movement of the body.
This is Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi!
(W la Musica)

Joseph Calleja
tenor
Mario has such a mastery of his instrument that the latter seems infused in his body. One of the most stunning virtuosos I have ever witnessed.

Luis Bacalov
Pianist – Composer
Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi is in possession of a remarkable technique that allows him to play both virtuosic pieces and pieces that require a particular expressive sensitivity; a very vital and passionate musician who allows him to establish a truly special communicative relationship with the public.

Roberto Molinelli
Composer – Arranger
Mario Stefano is a great virtuoso, vibrant and original, who knows how to make his instrument sing with the inspiration of the soul.
I am happy to have dedicated my Triptych to him.

Andrea Guerra
Composer
I was able to listen to Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi in Verona, more than his technique which is indisputable I was able to appreciate his poetic sound and his physicality that conveys the poetic
aspect of music. I would say that I am a big fan of him.

Umberto Scipione
Composer
Mario Stefano is a remarkable musician and a friend. A man I seem to have known forever. He is a truly magnificent, sensitive performer, gifted with refined technical skill and an ability to
convey intense emotions which speak directly to the soul.