On Thursday, April 21, the CEDC will unveil its Third Art Piano at Forno Antico BYOB, 416 E. Main Street, Collegeville. From 5 to 9 p.m., area residents can dine-in or carry-out and enjoy the music of concert pianist Matthew Guy Wismer, “The Liberace of Collegeville.” A percentage of the dinner bills will be donated to the non-profit CEDC.
PV High School Art students decorated the authentic Italian restaurant’s piano as an homage to famous Italian artists, including DaVinci for his “The Last Supper”; Michelangelo for “David”; and Botticelli for “The Birth of Venus.”
The idea of providing pianos in public spaces for use by communities began in the UK in 2008. Since then thousands of pianos have been donated and installed in cities and towns around the world to encourage residents to encourage local residents to share their musical talent with the community. Each piano is decorated in a unique way by local artists. Although Matthew will be playing the piano on April 21st, area residents are invited to stop by Forno Antico and play the piano when the restaurant is open.
Pianist Matthew Wismer, fourth generation owner of Northern Star Farm on Rt. 113 in Trappe, is a product of a musical family that has produced accomplished pianists, organists, choral directors and accordionists spanning many generations.
Matthew was fortunate to be tutored for nine years by the late concert pianist Paul Manzini, who studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London and at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, and who gave concerts and lectures throughout the eastern US and Europe.
During the Millennial year, Matthew entered a PA state music competition, and placed first in the instrumental category and receiving the “Best of show” award for all acts, which advanced him to the National Competition held at the Fresno Convention Center in Fresno, CA. Performing a medley of classical numbers, he placed second in all music and variety acts presented by 35 state winners across the US.
Matthew is available to play at your special event, whether your needs are 15 minutes or four hours of entertainment. He can be reached at 215-859-7302 or email at [email protected], FB northern star farm or northernstarfarm.net.
For more information on the piano project or the CEDC, contact us at 610-409-0370 or [email protected].