Alessandro Cirafici is the second oboist of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and artist faculty for oboe at the University of Southern Maine.
An active Boston-based freelancer, Alessandro has both performed and recorded with the Boston Symphony Orchestra on the Deutsche Grammophon label, and was previously a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. He has also appeared with the Boston Pops, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic, Boston Festival Orchestra, Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, Lexington Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and Vista Philharmonic. He has been guest principal with Atlantic Symphony, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, Portland Symphony, Vista Philharmonic, and for several years served as Principal Oboist of Boston Civic Symphony and member of Weston Wind Quintet. Other chamber music appearances include Castle of our Skins, Portland Symphony Wind Quintet, New Baroque Soloists, and North Country Chamber Players.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Alessandro holds a Master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, Performance Diploma from Boston University, and double Bachelor’s degrees in German Studies and Oboe Performance from the Bard College Conservatory of Music. His primary teachers include John Ferrillo and Elaine Douvas, with additional instructions from Anne Gabriele, Mark McEwen, Richard D’Alessio, and Alexandra Knoll.
A dedicated teacher himself, Alessandro is currently on faculty at the Osher School of Music at the University of Southern Maine, All Newton Music School, Brookline Music School, and serves as a gouging machine repair assistant at Harvard Double Reeds.