The first of two special evenings of guitar performances with Cristina Galietto, Aniello Desiderio and Tom Kerstens’ G Plus Ensemble.

6.00pm – 6.45pm Cristina Galietto 

Cristina Galietto is a 20-year-old multiple prize-winning guitarist from Naples, most recently winning premier international competitions in Stuttgart, Uppsala, and the ‘Andres Segovia’ Monheim-am-Rhein in Germany. Last August she won First Prize in one of the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world: the EuroStrings Guitar Competition held in Petrer, Spain. This ‘super’ competition is exclusively contested by the winners of the international competitions of the 20 participating EuroStrings Festivals. She is the first female winner of this Prize which will catapult her into a major international career with tours in Europe, China and the Americas planned for 2022.

7.30pm – 8.30pm Aniello Desiderio

Italian Aniello Desiderio is one of the most remarkable guitarists on the international scene today. His highly individual and distinctive interpretations coupled with truly phenomenal technical prowess have made him a favourite with classical guitar audiences around the world. A prodigal talent who did his debut at the age of 8, Anielo is especially popular with the younger generation of listeners and guitar students.

He has won 18 international awards including 1st prizes at Havana (1988), Francisco Tárrega Competition, Benicasim (1992); and Guerrero, Madrid, Spain (1995).

He performs as a recitalist and soloist with orchestras in North and South Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa; and in some of the world most famous venues including Carnegie Hall, New York, Palau de La Música, Barcelona, München Neue Philharmonie, Berliner Philharmonie, Alte Opera Frankfurt, and the Tonhalle, Zurich.

This concert marks Anielo’s London concert debut, he will also be teaching a masterclass. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear and study with this unique guitarist.

9.00pm – 10.00pm G Plus Ensemble

Tom Kerstens is a major figure in the guitar world. He is highly regarded as a versatile performer on modern and period instruments and is an influential champion of the guitar in his roles as player, recording artist and artistic director. He was chosen in Classic FM’s list of the ‘100 best classical artists’ and ‘Five best guitarists world-wide’ whilst hailed as a ‘refreshing musical explorer’. He has commissioned 108 works for IGF in the past 20 years.

His G Plus Ensemble consists of one or two guitars, string quartet and percussion and is exclusively dedicated to new music.

‘Tom Kerstens is in a rather different league…he manages to make the guitar sound like a harp, a human voice or even a whole orchestra…his interpretations continue to amaze… Vivid, colourful guitar playing.’ – BBC Radio 3

Book tickets for both Big Night of the Guitar evening events at once and get the first event for free.