Francesco Barfoed, a Danish-Italian pianist and coach who serves on the faculty of The Juilliard School, has been hailed for his “fertile imagination” (New York Classical), and “exceptionally sensitive” playing (Seen and Heard International).

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Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Barfoed performs widely throughout the United States and Europe with singers and instrumentalists alike. Recent highlights include a Carnegie Hall recital with Olesya Petrova and the world premieres of new song cycles by American composers Jake Heggie (CROSSING BORDERS, 2025) and Sheila Silver (Songs of Resilience, 2026). He has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The Morgan Library & Museum, as well as in programs presented by the New York Festival of Song, Caramoor, Opera Saratoga, and Berkshire Opera Festival. His playing, described as “magical” (Oberon’s Glade, 2026), has also been heard at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C.; the Folly Theater in Kansas City; the Usedomer Musikfestival in Germany; and on WQXR, New York’s classical music radio station.

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With American mezzo-soprano Megan Moore, Barfoed won first prize at the 2021 Copenhagen Lied-Duo Competition and second prize at the Naumburg Foundation International Vocal Competition. He has also partnered singers in first-prize-winning performances at Young Concert Artists. Barfoed serves on the jury of The Gerda Lissner Foundation’s Art Song Competition and curates the art song program for its annual Winners Concert at Carnegie Hall. He is also a member of the faculty at SongFest.

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Barfoed holds degrees from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Jonathan Feldman, The Royal Danish Academy of Music, and Rutgers University. As an expert in Nordic vocal literarure, his scholarly work focuses on Danish music history and, in particular, the songs of Danish composer Rued Langgaard.

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