The 1960s had the British Invasion—but these days it’s more like the Spanish Invasion. At least that’s one way to think of guitarist Pablo Villegas’ upcoming blitz of the States, as the Spanish guitarist this season is slated to make his debuts with seven U.S. orchestras.
Villegas, whose international competition wins include the Andrés Segovia Award and Gold Medal at the inaugural Parkening International Guitar Competition, will make his first-ever appearances at the Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Oregon symphonies, among others, enticing audiences with Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, a signature work that also serves as the vehicle for his upcoming collaborations with Spain’s National Radio & Television and the Youth National Orchestra of Spain, and is featured on his forthcoming recording with the National Orchestra of Spain.
Additionally, Villegas will appear in recital at Carnegie Hall, the New York City Classical Guitar Society, and the Guitar Foundation of America Convention.
In a statement announcing the tour, Villegas describes his “excitement” in bringing such a culturally significant piece of Spanish music to America.
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“[The Concierto] is one of the most iconic Spanish pieces,” said Villegas. “[It] allows me to invite the audience to participate in the passion, beauty and fire of Spain.”
Villegas will perform the Concierto de Aranjuez with the Pittsburgh Symphony on Oct. 11-12; the Oregon Symphony Oct. 25-27; the Colorado Springs Harmonic Jan. 24-25; the Fort Worth Symphony Feb. 13-15; the San Antonio Symphony April 10-12; the Binghamton Philharmonic on April 18.
His debut with the Amarillo Symphony in Texas will feature Rodrigo’s Fantasia para un Gentilhombre on Oct. 17-18.
For more information, visit www.pablovillegas.com.