Fresno Pacific University hosts “For the Love of Piano: A Return to the Romantic Era Salon”

Romantic Era favorites will fill the air this February at Fresno Pacific University, as international pianist Robert Poortinga of the Netherlands will be featured in a solo piano concert.

For the Love of Piano: A Return to the Romantic Era Salon will take place at 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2026. The concert will be held in the Lin Family Performance Studio in the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center on the Fresno main campus, 4838 E. Butler Ave., Fresno.

The venue will recreate the intimate atmosphere of the 19^th-century salon, with chairs surrounding the piano. It was in such a setting that many beloved favorites were originally shared and enjoyed.

The evening will include pieces by Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Schumann, Glinka, Grünfeld, Herz and Debussy, all brought to life with Poortinga's masterful piano storytelling.

Tickets are $20 for general audiences or $10 for students and the FPU community and can be found at fpu.edu/piano or purchased at the door. Advance ticket sales are encouraged, as seating is limited.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Robert Poortinga

Prizewinner in solo and chamber music competitions, Robert Poortinga has performed throughout Europe and the United States. In 2025, Poortinga was named Artist in Residence by Appassionata Leeuwarden (the Netherlands), curating six concerts with various artists.

He released a solo Schumann album (Kreisleriana Op. 16, Fantasie Op. 17 and Arabeske, Op. 18), as well as four regionally themed albums (including a collection of Caribbean classical piano music) for a US performance tour co-sponsored by Viking Cruises and DeSalvio Travel. Performances across Europe included solo and chamber music, broadcasts for radio and an innovative new venture, Cuisine Musique, pairing classical music to menus for Michelin-starred restaurants.

Robert has studied with esteemed musicians in the U.S., the Netherlands and Italy, including Enrico Pace, Lukas Hagen (Hagen Quartet) and Tamara Poddubnaya, and in masterclasses with Pavel Gililov, Jaques Ogg (historic performance practice), Vladimir Tropp, Konstantin Bogino, Jeroen Riemsdijk, Enrico Bronzi and Trio di Parma. Robert is a Petrof piano artist.

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