Italian guitar prodigy to thrill Somerset West
Italian classical guitarist Cinzia Milani, heralded globally for her graceful musicianship and expressive technique, is touring South Africa in June.
This electrifying young musician will treat local audiences to a sumptuous programme of Italian, Argentine and Spanish guitar favourites.
Often described in the international music press as one of the best young classical guitarists of her generation, Milani begins her first ever South African tour in Somerset West on Sunday, 7 June 2015.
Milani has assembled a delectable Latin-inspired programme for her South African recitals, including compositions by Maximo Diego Pujol, A Piazzolla, A Ramirez, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Gaspar Sanz, Oscar Casares and Francisco Tárrega.
In fact, she studied under Casares, a renowned Argentinian composer from whom she draws much of her inspiration and whose work, including tangos, features prominently in her repertoire.
Truly epitomising the word “prodigy”, Milani started studying classical guitar as a tot and won first prize in the International Competition of Milan at the tender age of five. By the time she was 14, the precociously gifted young guitarist had already won 16 first prizes in Italian and international music competitions and had embarked on a career as the toast of concert stages across the world.
She went on to study with several guitar masters, where she honed her sophisticated guitar technique. In the years since then, she has become noted around the globe for the beauty, grace, natural elegance and depth with which she performs, as well as a technique that has been hailed as “brilliant”.
Classical Guitar described her thus: “Miss Milani is something more than the usual talented youngster with flying fingers, having a world of expression, musicianship, a feeling for her instrument, all combined with a lovely and powerful tone, so rare even in older and more experienced players.”
Milani plays on a replica Torres Spanish guitar crafted by the Italian luthier Gabriele Lodi, and uses Royal Classic strings. CDs of her recordings will be available at her South African performances. She will perform at Talani Lounge, Helderberg Village, Somerset West on June 7 at 4pm. Tickets at the door. Enquiries: 073 171 3187