"Dois Fabios" headline MSO's Brazilian Guitar & Cello concert

Not just one, but two Fabios are set to bring Brazilian music to the Manila Symphony Orchestra's latest installment of its 2025-2026 season happening on August 9, 2025, 7:30 PM at the Bayanihan Hall, Creative Arts Centre of the British School Manila, BGC in Taguig.

The "dois Fabios" headlining the concert, billed as Brazilian Guitar & Cello, are guitarist Fábio Zanon and cellist Fabio Presgrave. Joining them at this concert is soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila while MSO's music director and principal conductor Marlon Chen takes to the podium.

Music to be performed includes the Prelúdio (Ponteio) from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7 and the Ária and Dança from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Jeffrey Ching's Concerto da camera, Radamés Gnattali's Concerto No. 4 for Guitar and String Orchestra, and Astor Piazzolla's Le Grand Tango for Cello and String Orchestra.

Fábio Zanon

Guitarist Fábio Zanon earned his master’s from the University of London and rose to prominence by winning major guitar competitions in 1996, including the Francisco Tárrega, GFA, and Alessandria contests; he later received numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario and awards such as the Carlos Gomes Prize and Bravo! Award.

Fabio Presgrave

Born in Rio, cellist Fabio Presgrave earned his degree from The Juilliard School and has performed as soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Qatar Philharmonic and Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, under renowned conductors such as Rafael Payare and Lior Shambadal.

Stefanie Quintin-Avila

Praised for her vocal flexibility and commanding presence, Stefanie Quintin-Avila is a multi-awarded soprano, receiving honors such as the Delphic Lyra Award and the Presidential Award for Culture and the Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of the Philippines and a Master’s in Contemporary Music Performance from UC San Diego.

Marlon Chen

Known for his dynamic charisma and versatility, Marlon Chen has led performances across four continents in opera, ballet, and symphonic music. He was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra in 2019 and holds guest conducting roles with leading ensembles worldwide.

Brazilian Guitar & Cello is presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil through Guimarães Rosa Institute (IGR) and the Embassy of Brazil in Manila.