The 1960s had the British Invasion\u2014but these days it\u2019s more like the Spanish Invasion. At least that\u2019s one way to think of guitarist Pablo Villegas\u2019 upcoming blitz of the States, as the Spanish guitarist this season is slated to make his debuts with seven U.S. orchestras.<\/p>\n
Villegas, whose international competition wins include the\u00a0<\/strong>Andr\u00e9s Segovia Award\u00a0and Gold Medal at the inaugural\u00a0Parkening International Guitar Competition, will make his first-ever appearances at the\u00a0Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Oregon symphonies, among others, enticing audiences with Joaquin Rodrigo\u2019s\u00a0Concierto de Aranjuez<\/em>, a signature work that also serves as the vehicle for his upcoming collaborations with Spain\u2019s\u00a0National Radio & Television and\u00a0the Youth National Orchestra of Spain, and is featured on his forthcoming recording with the\u00a0National Orchestra of Spain.<\/p>\n Additionally, Villegas will appear in recital at\u00a0Carnegie Hall, the\u00a0New York City Classical Guitar Society, and the\u00a0Guitar Foundation of America Convention.<\/p>\n In a statement announcing the tour, Villegas describes his \u201cexcitement\u201d in bringing such a culturally significant piece of Spanish music to America.<\/p>\n \u201c[The Concierto<\/em>] is one of the most iconic Spanish pieces,\u201d said Villegas. \u201c[It] allows me to invite the audience to participate in the passion, beauty and fire of Spain.\u201d<\/p>\n Villegas will perform the Concierto de Aranjuez<\/em> with the Pittsburgh Symphony on Oct. 11-12; the Oregon Symphony Oct. 25-27; the Colorado Springs Harmonic Jan. 24-25; the Fort Worth Symphony Feb. 13-15; the San Antonio Symphony April 10-12; the Binghamton Philharmonic on April 18.<\/p>\n