Maria Giacchino Cusenza

Maria Giacchino Cusenza (1898–1979) was a pianist, composer and teacher closely associated with the musical life of Palermo. Born into a family of musicians, she studied piano with Alice Ziffer Baragli and pursued composition studies with Alberto Favara and, later, Mario Pilati. She completed her composition diploma in 1936.

Her long teaching career at Palermo’s conservatory extended from 1926 to 1970. Alongside her work as a concert pianist and chamber musician, she contributed to the city’s concert societies and musical institutions. Her compositions include piano works, songs, chamber music and educational pieces. Works such as the Preludio e Fuga, Canto notturno, Studio esatonico and Corale e variazioni reflect the meeting of contrapuntal discipline, pianistic experience and a personal musical language.