The McCallum Theatre Presents A Musical Journey With Spanish Guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas
By: David Green Feb. 15, 2019
The McCallum Theatre presents Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas on Monday, March 4, at 7:00pm. The guitar was brought by the Spaniards to the New World during the colonial period, absorbed and merged with indigenous instruments, and assimilated into the musical fabric of a wide geographical area. More than any other instrument, it defines the common musical heartbeat of the Americas from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. On this musical journey, rising Spanish star, Pablo Sáinz Villegas combines the emotions of sensual Brazilian music, the nostalgic tango, vivid Venezuelan rhythms, and the exciting and colorful American bluegrass.
Praised as "the soul of the Spanish guitar," Pablo Sáinz Villegas has become a worldwide sensation known as this generation's great guitarist. With his "virtuosic playing characterized by irresistible exuberance" (The New York Times), his interpretations conjure the passion, playfulness, and drama of Rioja, his homeland's rich musical heritage. He is known for his emotive and open-hearted playing, whether he is performing in intimate recital halls, or playing with beloved tenor Plácido Domingo to an audience of over 85,000 at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid where maestro Domingo hailed him as "the master of the guitar."
Routinely drawing comparisons with legendary exponents of his instrument such as Andrés Segovia, Sáinz Villegas has already appeared on some of the world's most prestigious stages including Carnegie Hall, the Philharmonie in Berlin, and most recently at the Concertgebouw. Known for a sound so rich and full that it does not need amplification, his concerto performances regularly inspire new invitations and re-engagements in more than 30 countries. He has played with top level orchestras including the Pittsburgh, Bergen and Israel Philharmonic, as well as Cincinnati, Spanish National and Denmark Symphonies. He made a series of important debuts under the baton of Frühbeck de Burgos and has enjoyed fruitful collaborations with conductors including Juanjo Mena, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Carlos Kalmar, Michael Francis, Gustavo Gimeno and Cristian Macelaru.
Sáinz Villegas has thrived over the past year, performing on a floating stage on the Amazon River with Plácido Domingo which was live streamed worldwide to millions. Additionally, he gave the world premiere of "Rounds," the first composition for guitar by five-time Academy Award-winner John Williams, and accomplished a summer tour through Japan with the National Orchestra of Spain. The 17-18 season saw Sáinz Villegas debut at Chicago's Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra at the Millennium Park in Chicago, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra in Oslo, and Orquesta de Minería in Mexico City, to name a few. Sáinz Villegas also performed recitals throughout the United States, including New York's 92nd Street Y, Urbana's Krannert Center, Napa Valley's Lincoln Theater, and at South Miami-Dade Cultural Center.
Sáinz Villegas continuously searches for ways to communicate with young audiences and to inspire them with music. A born communicator, the guitarist explains: "Music is among things we cannot touch and that is what makes it most powerful." Over the last decade, he has created projects that bring music beyond the performance halls, reaching more than 15,000 children and youth through volunteering his time, establishing music programs, visiting schools and creating unique community activities around the globe. His efforts have granted him invitations to play for both the Dalai Lama and the Spanish Royal Family.
An active recording artist, Sáinz Villegas is now an exclusive SONY recording artist. His most recent album is Volver with legendary singer Plácido Domingo. Billboard Magazine named him "the global ambassador of Spanish guitar" after his 2015 solo album Americano quickly made its debut to the top 15 on their charts under the PIAS | Harmonia Mundi USA label. Recently, he recorded the three Rodrigo concerti with the National Orchestra of Spain under the baton of Juanjo Mena, becoming the first in more than 20 years to capture the Concierto de Aranjuez with the ensemble.
Born in La Rioja in Northern Spain, Sáinz Villegas was inspired to take guitar lessons at age six and gave his first public performance at just seven years old. Over the years, he accomplished an impressive collection of over 30 international awards, including the Segovia award, which he won at age 15, and the coveted Gold Medal at the Inaugural Parkening International Guitar Competition.
Tickets for this performance are priced at $75, $55, $35 and $25. Tickets are available at the Theatre's website at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787.
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