Americas Society Hosts Renowned Brazilian Guitarist for Concert and Master Class

On May 2, Brazilian classical guitar legend Carlos Barbosa-Lima returned to Americas Society for a solo recital to a packed house. Barbosa-Lima was joined for the latter portion of the program by longtime collaborator and educator Lawrence del Casale. The performance featured popular and standard pieces from the classical guitar literature, ranging from The Beatles and George Gershwin to traditional Brazilian tunes like Aquarela do Brasil.

Earlier in the day, Barbosa-Lima shared his performing experience in a master class that included aspiring classical guitarists from top New York City conservatories. The master class focused on a variety of issues ranging from the technical aspect of playing the guitar to musical interpretation of pieces performed by the students.

Born in 1944 in São Paulo, Barbosa-Lima began studying the guitar at age seven and made his concert debut five years later in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. He began his recording career while still in his teens, continuing to appear regularly in concert and on Brazilian television. Since his American debut in 1967, Barbosa-Lima has enjoyed a global concert career marked by numerous distinguished recordings, performing with many of the world's great orchestras and at prestigious music festivals. Features of his work include the breadth of his repertoire and his unique ability to integrate diverse musical styles.

This event marked Barbosa-Lima’s fifth performance at Americas Society since his first concert here in 1969.

"La Bikina" by Rubén Fuentes performed by Carlos Barbosa-Lima, guitar