New York Guitar Festival Returns to Brookfield Place
Pepe Romero performs on May 18 at Brookfield Place
This year's New York Guitar Festival will take place on May 18 and 19 with performances devoted to classical and flamenco Spanish guitar. All concerts are free and will be held in the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place (230 Vesey Street). See the program below.
Friday, May 18, 12:30 pm
Marija Temo
Triple threat Marija Temo sings, dances, and plays flamenco guitar on an instrument specifically tailored to the nuances of both classical and flamenco; she co-designed this unique instrument with luthier Tom Rodriguez. Although immersed in flamenco tradition, Temo also plays pop crossover and solos with symphonies. Composer Loris Ohannes Chobanian wrote the Concierto del Fuego especially as a showcase for Temo’s individual synthesis of classical rigor and Spanish style.
Friday, May 18, 7:30 pm
Pepe Romero
Classical guitar legend Pepe Romero will pay tribute to his father, Celedonio Romero, and the music of Spain, particularly that of his native Málaga. Romero will focus on flamenco guitar, bringing with him a to-be-announced roster of special guests, singers, and dancers. Among his celebrated accomplishments, Romero has premiered works – composed especially for him – by Rodrigo and Torroba. He’s recorded more than 60 albums across his career, 30 of which were as part of a quartet with his father and brothers.
Saturday, May 19, 12:30 pm
Adam del Monte, with special guests Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernández
Adam del Monte is known for the introspective lyricism of his classical guitar style as well as the exuberant spontaneity of his flamenco repertoire. In addition to performing iconic works by Albéniz and Tárrega, del Monte has composed two concertos for flamenco guitar and orchestra. His most recent recording, Asi lo siento yo, features collaborations with other flamenco musicians in songs that integrate aspects of tango, jazz, and Gypsy soul. Joining del Monte for his afternoon program will be the flamenco dancer and choreographer Sonia Olla (described by the New York Times as “a furnace of earthy sensuality”) and her partner, the Seville-born cantadore Ismael Fernández.
Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm
Sharon Isbin, with guest artist Romero Lubambo
Isbin’s program will feature a combination of solos and duos with her guest, the Brazilian jazz guitarist Romero Lubambo. Isbin and Lubambo, who performed together in the award-winning documentary Sharon Isbin: Troubadour, share a lyrical sensibility that makes their duets a natural elision of improvisation, classical music, and cross-cultural exploration. A two-time Grammy winner and founder of the guitar department at Juilliard, Isbin has premiered works by Tan Dun, John Corigliano, and Christopher Rouse, among other composers, that were written especially for her.
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