Demure, as in stature and demonstrative, in her musical profession and passion for living in the present, are the words that come to mind when meeting internationally recognized harp soloist, actor, writer, and teacher Rita Costanzi in person.
Costanzi recently did what no other woman has done: make history with her personal story, act on stage with a full dramatic script, and accompany herself as a classical harp soloist. Her story, Woman on a Ledge, is Costanzi’s journey of self-discovery, conflict, pain, love, and art. She fought the constraints of Old-World Italian female obligations and now lives a vibrant life as a survivor. The messages in Woman on a Ledge are touching the hearts of women and men all over the world as they become spectators of what Costanzi lived through in an abusive marriage. She is now free from that previous life, sharing her message of hope and life after pain.Rita Costanzi in Woman on a Ledge at the Theater for the New City. Courtesy theaterforthenewcity.net
An educated and noted musician
Costanzi was born in Rochester, New York, the daughter of prominent violist Francis Tursi, a professor at the Eastman School of Music. Tursi, an educated and noted musician, recognized Costanzi’s talent at three when she first played the piano by ear. Both of her parents were nurturing, not overbearing. Costanzi internalized the pressure of growing up with a famous father who was a brilliant musician and a revered philosopher at The Eastman School.
“When I would walk down the hall, people would say, ‘There’s Rita Tursi, daughter of Francis Tursi, the famous violist.”’
Costanzi said she would do anything to please him, but he didn’t put weight on her to succeed. She did it herself.
“Every time I walked on stage, I thought if I make a mistake, I am desecrating my father’s famous name,” Costanzi said. “That was the pressure.”
Musical education in Paris
After leaving the Eastman School, Costanzi received a grant to continue her musical education in Paris, where she studied under Jacqueline Borot. Her father may have seen the writing on the wall when warning Costanzi about whom she was to marry. She got married anyway. She won the Principal Harp in the Vancouver Symphony, which caused resentment from her husband, led to her financial dependence on him when she stopped working, and ultimately, her divorce.
“While all my girlfriends and colleagues had expensive nannies and stayed in the orchestra, I stayed at home for the benefit of her children,” Costanzi said. She often said, “A career can wait.”Rita Costanzi, Harpist. Courtesy ritacostanzi.com Her financial dependence led her to stay in a destructive marriage for 15 years longer than she should have. Still, she said, “The day that the fear of being out on my own financially was less than the fear of being in his anger and abuse is the day I left the marriage.
With courage and strong convictions, Costanzi divorced in 2014. She was destitute, but she found her inner strength to continue. She relied on her strong faith and knew God controlled her future path. This change, this surrender, allowed Costanzi to fulfill her destiny, which she is living today.
To be a success, you must show up.
“Many people quit because the going gets rough,” Costanzi said. “They quit when success is right around the corner.” Her friends are celebrating her success as they admire what she has done. She pointed out what Woody Allen once remarked: that to be a success, you must show up. Costanzi continued to show up despite untold defeats and challenges.
In 2018, Costanzi started work on the script for Woman on a Ledge, which entailed editing, refining, and rewriting until it was the perfect platform for her story, which ran off-Broadway this year. At the 2021 Sunflower Festival in Topeka, Kansas, many women wept in her arms after producing Woman on a Ledge, claiming her story was cathartic for what many had gone through like her.
Moonlight in the Bronx
She also produced a documentary, Moonlight in the Bronx, which won The 2020 Hershey Felder Presents Arts Prize Competition. The story was a captivating memorial to Ludwig Van Beethoven and the victims of the Coronavirus.
Follow your passion – follow your heart.
When Costanzi was asked for advice based on her life experiences, she said, “Follow your passion. Follow your heart. Do not let people with a logical left brain talk you out of what your supreme desire and passion are.”
Costanzi remarked that playing the harp was her vocation. She gave up cushy jobs with salary, title, and fame when she worked on Woman on a Ledge. She didn’t want to teach. She didn’t want to please anyone else. She wanted to fulfill her destiny, and at 70, she is doing just that and successfully attaining her dreams.
Live now. Rejoice
“I tell my students worldwide, don’t fulfill someone else’s idea of what you should be doing. Fulfill what is speaking in your heart,” Costanzi said. “Fulfill what your star of destiny radiates to you, and come hell or high water, you follow that.”
“Live now. Rejoice.”
Costanzi is living by her rules, rejoicing, and enjoying the present. She may not know her future, but she continues showing up and giving the world everything she can.
Readers may also enjoy An Evening with Lee Asher, and Betty Garrison: Crafting a Masterpiece Home Gallery.
Bravo and Congratulations to the very unique and special Rita Costanzi !! Her wide range of artistry is always thought-provoking, sincere, and pure, resonating with those who witness and receive it. Her Irish Lullaby takes us on the journey from being awake and lively, to gradually relaxing and growing drowsy, to finally falling into a calm slumber. I look forward to her audience growing wider and wider – – with everyone entertained, impressed, AND grateful.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
One Response
Bravo and Congratulations to the very unique and special Rita Costanzi !! Her wide range of artistry is always thought-provoking, sincere, and pure, resonating with those who witness and receive it. Her Irish Lullaby takes us on the journey from being awake and lively, to gradually relaxing and growing drowsy, to finally falling into a calm slumber. I look forward to her audience growing wider and wider – – with everyone entertained, impressed, AND grateful.