‘The 22nd edition of London Guitar Festival brings you a wonderful series of concerts by major international artists and young artists making their debuts, workshops and a clutch of new IGF commissions, continuing IGF’s groundbreaking work with new music and new artists.

IGF was founded 30 years ago and we celebrate the start of the next 30 years with an extraordinary programme of festivals and events across the UK. We especially feature artists who have played a defining role in our history. One of those artists is Ana Vidovic who won our first senior International Guitar Competition in 1994 at a mere 14 years of age which launched her brilliant international career. We are delighted and proud to have Ana headlining the festival!

Young artists are as always at the heart of IGF’s work and we especially welcome performances from the exceptional young artists on our Young Artist Platform. We present the excellent Duo Cantelina of mezzo-soprano Sophie Clarke and classical guitarist Ravi Nathwani and terrific young Portuguese soloist Gonçalo Maia Caetano.

As important as developing young artists is our commitment to new music for guitar and this edition presents 3 IGF commissions by brilliant young composers Bobbie-Jane Gardner, Laila Arafah and Ashkan Layegh, of which 2 are world premieres.

The guitar is unique in its appeal to people of all ages, musical tastes, and economic means; come and join us and immerse yourself in that most colourful and versatile of instruments: the guitar!’

Tom Kerstens,
Artistic Director, International Guitar Foundation (IGF).