In this age of brilliant young pianists, Cristina Altamura is distinguished by the unique position she holds as Principal Soloist of the State Philharmonic Mihail Jora of Romania. This appointment followed Miss Altamura's successful 1998 performance of Beethoven's First Piano Concerto with George Enescu Bucharest Philharmonic. Subsequent performances of this concerto in Italy with the State Philharmonic of Arad (Romania) garnered rave reviews for the young pianist. She recorded the concerto with the Iasi Camerata, Romania, conducted by the London-born, Karel Mark Chichon. Further collaborations with the young conductor in the 2001 season included a special appearance at the 20th Anniversary Season of the Beethoven Festival in Oyster Bay Long Island, New York. Her 2002 schedule included a live performance on the Dame Myra Hess radio series in Chicago and in an Eastern European tour with several orchestras in performances of the Grieg and Mozart A major piano concertos.

Miss Altamura is a frequent guest on New York's foremost classical radio station, WQXR (96.3 FM). In 1997, after earning distinction as the only American musician awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Italy that year, Miss Altamura's winning, uncut audition tape was broadcast on the McGraw Hill Young Artists Showcase, hosted by Bob Sherman. That same year, she received a scholarship from the National Italian American Foundation in Washington, DC. In 2001, Miss Altamura was presented once again as an alumna of the show in a live performance from Milan, Italy at the Teatro Delle Erbe in music of Scarlatti and Beethoven.

The young pianist made her Carnegie Hall debut when she was a teen performing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Inter-Cities Chamber Orchestra. Miss Altamura has also appeared as a solo and chamber artist in New York's major halls including Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Steinway Hall CAMI Hall and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. In addition, she performs and studies with her mother, soprano Carmela Altamura, who is also founder of the renowned Altamura/E. Caruso International Voice Competition, USA. Their concerts have taken them to Israel, Italy, Gibraltar and major concert halls of New York City in a multi-lingual program designed to celebrate cultural diversity. Miss Altamura also acts as assistant artistic director of the summer music festival in Round Top, New York called "Arts at the Top" produced by the Altamuras and designed to present young artists on the threshold of an international career.

As a teen, Miss Altamura participated at both the Tanglewood and Aspen Summer Music Festivals. She received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Mannes College of Music. On the recommendation of Marcello Abbado, she undertook advanced studies with the eminent Maestro Scala, founder of the Accademia Pianistica d'Imola, Italy. Her musical studies include the rich musical experience with Robert Abramson of the Juilliard School.

In December 2004 she debuted at the Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center, in New York City.

Her website: www.cristinaaltamura.com