Benjamin D’Annibale, the supremely talented former keyboardist for Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, and local opera singer Sophia Santiago will perform in concert the music of Franz Schubert on Sunday, March 29, 3 p.m., at Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion, 200 W. Tulpehocken St. in Germantown. D’Annibale will perform on the Victorian mansion’s authentic circa 1865 Stieff grand piano, which is close in style to a piano that Franz Schubert would have played.

Although he lived for only 31 years, from 1797-1828, the romantic Austrian composer wrote more than 600 “Lieder,” or art songs, seven symphonies, sacred music, operas and a huge body of piano and chamber music. Schubert received very little recognition during his short life but is now widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western classical music.

D’Annibale is a graduate of the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg in Germany (M.M. Harpsichord) and Temple University (B.M. Piano Performance), where he studied with Dr. Robert Hill and Professor Michael Behringer. The pianist also received a year of training at the Hochschule für Kirchenmusik Rottenburg, where he studied conducting and organ. D’Annibale has given concerts and participated in performances all over the United States, as well as in Germany and France.

“The hardest thing I ever had to do was move to Germany,” said D’Annibale, 33, “and being apart from my friends and family, feeling isolated and not speaking the language at first.”

A graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep who grew up in Havertown but now lives in Center City, D’Annibale “once told a piano professor that I wanted to wait 10 years before I started learning a particular piece of music, and he told me that there won’t be more time when you’re older. The best time to start is now. ... My partner Emilio inspires me every day. He works tirelessly on everything he does and strives for perfection yet still is the most kind and patient person I’ve ever known.”

When asked who he most would want to meet and spend time with, living or dead, D’Annibale replied, “Wanda Landowska (1879-1959). She almost single-handedly revived the harpsichord at the beginning of the 20th century. She escaped Europe during World War II, and her dedication to the instrument led to the revival we have now.”

Sophia Santiago, 29, a native of Ellicott City, Md., who now lives in South Philadelphia, has performed often as a soprano soloist and choral artist with the Opera Philadelphia Chorus and as a soloist and chorister with the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia. After receiving her bachelor’s degree at Westminster Choir College, she studied for her master’s degree in vocal performance at the Manhattan School of Music. She won first place at the Spazio e Musica competition in Vicenza, Italy, in 2022 and performed with ensemble I Musicalli Affetti. Santiago was also a New York District Winner in the Laffont competition of 2023.

“The best decision I have ever made,” Santiago said, “was to set aside time to spend with my extended family over the past few years. It’s really easy to get caught up in life, and I’ve recently valued spending time with my grandparents. I was really missing out before, and I’m glad to catch up on some of that quality time now.

“I take a lot of inspiration from friends and colleagues around me. I’m really lucky to be able to make music with some excellent musicians in Philadelphia. There’s a surprising amount of variety to the kinds of performances you can find out here. The best advice I received was to take professional feedback with a grain of salt and remind myself who the advice is coming from before internalizing it.”

On April 4, Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion will resume its popular Coffee with Neighbors tradition with an authentic Easter Egg Rolling competition for children in the Maxwell garden. The rollings, popular in the 19th century, were made famous by First Lady Lucy Hayes, wife of the 19th president, Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893).

For more information, call 215-438-1861 or visit ebenezermaxwellmansion.org. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.