Award-winning violinist Lucia Micarelli has established herself as a versatile artist, excelling not only in music but also in acting and composing. Her latest project, titled ROOTS, showcases her ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical genres into an engaging experience. This new show, based on an upcoming album, will premiere at San Francisco’s Presidio Theatre on February 21 and Santa Monica’s BroadStage on February 22. Accompanied by bassist Nathan Farrington and cellist Eric Byers, her husband, Micarelli aims to explore the emotional universality of music across different cultures and eras.
Micarelli's journey began in Queens, New York, where she started violin lessons at the tender age of three. After relocating to Hawaii, she made her debut as a soloist with the Honolulu Symphony. Her education continued at The Juilliard School’s pre-college division under the tutelage of renowned pedagogue Dorothy DeLay. During her summers, she performed regularly with the Aspen Music Festival orchestra. At 18, Micarelli ventured beyond classical music, exploring Appalachian fiddling, bluegrass, Americana, jazz, and rock. These experiences led to collaborations with notable acts such as Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Jethro Tull, Josh Groban, and Chris Botti.
In 2009, Micarelli took on her first acting role in HBO’s critically acclaimed series Treme, playing Annie Talarico, a young street musician in post-Katrina New Orleans. This role marked the beginning of her singing career and opened doors to further artistic exploration. Since then, she has recorded five albums, starred in her own PBS special in 2018, and collaborated with iconic artists like Barbra Streisand, Lang Lang, and Andrea Bocelli. Additionally, Micarelli recently composed the score for the HBO documentary Murder in Boston.
The inspiration behind ROOTS stems from Micarelli's desire to trace the origins of American music she loves. Initially, she planned to call the album ROOTS, focusing on European-based folk music that influenced classical compositions. However, as she delved deeper, she realized the project was more about exploring the universal human experience through music. The show features a mix of classical, jazz, traditional fiddle, and bluegrass, reflecting the emotional essence common across different genres and cultures. Micarelli believes that the core of all music is emotional connection, regardless of its origin or composer.
Beyond her musical pursuits, Micarelli has embraced film scoring, collaborating with director Jason Hehir on the HBO documentary Murder in Boston. She also remains open to future acting projects and plans to continue composing and recording albums. Balancing family life with her career has been challenging, but Micarelli finds joy in integrating her personal and professional worlds. Her children often accompany her during practice sessions and rehearsals, becoming well-traveled and adorable stagehands.
Micarelli's versatility and passion for storytelling through music have earned her recognition across multiple fields. Her upcoming performances promise to be a testament to her belief in breaking down barriers between musical genres and highlighting the universal emotions that connect us all.