A wonderful evening of music at the Barbour

A full house at the Barbour on Sunday evening was privileged to hear a wonderful evening of music from Roberto Carillo-Garcia and friends. Roberto is principal double bass of the Halle Orchestra but his talents extend much further. In an eclectic and unfamiliar programme he also played the guitar, sang a duet with mezzo-soprano, Jill Taylor, and was a very engaging speaker, in one piece – 'Failing' by Tom Johnson – at the same time as playing his double bass!

There was a strong South American flavour to the evening with pieces by Villa-Lobos, Chagra and the Argentinian, Piazzola whose 'Histoire du Tango' for violin and guitar took us to some of the seamier parts of Buenos Aires. Roberto's partner in this entertaining adventure was Paul Barritt, guest leader of the Halle Orchestra.

As an opening item, before the audience were transported to South America, we heard Handel's Sonata in A minor, HWV 362, originally written for flute and harpsichord but on this occasion performed by Roberto (guitar) and his wife, oboist, Rachael Clegg. We also heard, as surprise items, two Villa Lobos pieces for flute and guitar with Roberto joined by Laura Jellicoe. And then to conclude the evening Roberto was joined by Paul Barritt and Gemma Beeson (piano) in the Bottesini's virtuosic Gran Duo Concertante, originally written for two double basses.

Altogether the evening was a really special musical treat

The next TMS concert will be on Sunday 12th March when pianist, Ben Powell, will be joined by clarinettist, Martinez Merino and bassoonist, Andres Yauri Andoquia.

(Pictured above Gemma, Paul and Roberto, below Laura, Paul, Gemma, Jill, Rachael and Roberto)