Paul Rafanelli

Over more than 20 seasons with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, bassoonist Paul Rafanelli has performed frequently on the Orchestra’s Chamber Music series; he has also performed with the Seattle Chamber Music Society, Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, and the Seattle Chamber Players. He has been a concerto soloist with the Seattle Symphony and the Northwest Chamber Orchestra. Before joining the Seattle Symphony in 1992, Mr. Rafanelli was a member of the Charleston (SC) Symphony orchestra, performed in Spoleto, Italy with the Festival dei Due Mondi; and in Charleston with Spoleto Festival USA.

He is thrilled to return to Walla Walla for the Festival, or any time of the year to enjoy the enological and culinary riches to be found there. Fascinated by the magic of Food and Wine pairing, he also enjoys vegetable gardening, cooking, opera, and welcomes any opportunity to speak Italian.

Mr. Rafanelli is a Seattle native and received his training at the University of Washington, Manhattan School of Music, and The Juilliard School. From 1998—2014 he served on the faculty of the University Puget Sound, where he was the Affiliate Artist in bassoon.

His bassoon was made by the Wilhelm Heckel Co. in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1985.