Paraguayan guitarist Berta Rojas to perform in Manila and Cebu

May 15, 2014, 8:00 PM

Meralco Theater

Ortigas Avenue

Pasig City

May 17, 2014, 8:00 PM

Marcelo Fernan Hall

Lahug, Cebu

Featuring:

Berta Rojas

Ramoncito Carpio

Triple Fret

Internationally renowned guitarist Berta Rojas stayed up late past midnight in her home country of Paraguay in order to have a video conference with members of the press who had just finished lunch halfway round the world in the Philippines. Eloquent and insightful, Berta graciously answered questions that were thrown at her but what really got through me was when she said that while there is distance (both time and space) between us, we can still be connected through music.

Guitarist Berta Rojas

Thankfully, classical guitar music lovers in the Philippines can get a lot closer to Berta Rojas as she will have a couple of performances in the country. Her first concert will be on May 15, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Meralco Theater and then she flies over to Cebu for her second concert on May 17, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Marcelo Fernan Hall in Lahug. Before her concerts, she will share her expertise with top guitar students in Metro Manila at a master class on May 14, 2014, 3:00 PM at the Cedar Room of the Richmonde Hotel Ortigas.

Special guests for her Manila concert include local guitarist Ramoncito Carpio who has won numerous prizes in guitar competitions here and abroad, and Triple Fret, an all female guitar trio composed of Marga Abejo, Jenny de Vera, and Iqui Vinculado who are reaching a wider audience with their contemporary-classical guitar repertoire.

Triple Fret's Jenny de Vera, Iqui Vinculado, Marga Abejo, and Ramoncito Carpio

During the press conference held at the Richmonde Hotel, I learned that Berta Rojas is the most popular musician in her country which is very unusual for a classical guitarist. Her popularity has made her become the tourism ambassador, promoting Paraguay through her music. She also shared to the press her admiration for Paraguayan guitarist-composer Agustin Barrios Mangoré, who served as a huge inspiration in her life and was the reason why she chose to play the guitar in the first place.

I’m really looking forward not just to see her live performance but also her master class. I was very impressed with her during the brief video conference that I really got curious to see how she would impart her knowledge regarding technique and musicality at the master class. And I’ve always preferred attending a master class before watching the performance because it gives me a glimpse of the artist in a different setting making me appreciate the eventual performance more.

Berta Rojas’ concerts and master class in the Philippines is presented by Independent Philippine Art Ventures, Inc. (Ipav). Incorporated late last year by a group of musicians and music lovers, IPav aims to promote classical music and arts, with a focus on classical guitar through concerts, workshops, and tutorials. Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is the official residence of Berta Rojas in Manila.

Ticket prices:

P3000 Orchestra Center (Front)

P2500 Orchestra Center/Orchestra Side (Front)

P2000 Orchestra Side (Middle)

P1500 Orchestra Side (Back)

P1000 Loge

P500 Balcony

For inquiries:

TicketWorld 891-9999