02 September 2011 Escápese a España WITH THE SOUTHERN CROSS SOLOISTS & SPECIAL GUEST SLAVA GRIGORYAN Escape to Spain with the Southern Cross Soloists and their special guest, Slava Grigoryan in Showcase Concert Series #3. One of Australia’s greatest classical guitarists, Grigoryan will join this unique Brisbane-based ensemble in Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC’s) Concert Hall for one night only on Tuesday 11 October. In their final Showcase Concert for 2011, the Southern Cross Soloists and Grigoryan will bring to life their passionate love affair with the country and culture of composers of 18 to 20th Century Spain. These exotic flavours and vibrant Latin spirit will be captured through music by de Falla, Rodrigo and Sor, as well as by the timeless guitar concerto of one of the greatest of Baroque composers, Antonio Vivaldi. Showcase Series Concert #3 will be presented in Reverse Mode where the audience is seated on the stage with the performers, in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere particularly suited to the performance of chamber music. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of Australia's leading chamber music ensembles with special guest Slava Grigoryan in Queensland's premier performing arts centre. To book go to www.qpac.com.au or phone 136 246. ---Ends--- QPAC Presents: Southern Cross Soloists Showcase Series Concert #3 with special guest Slava Grigoryan When: Tuesday 11 October 2011 Where: Reverse Mode, Concert Hall, QPAC, Cultural Centre, South Bank Tickets: $34 to $54 *Ticket price includes GST and Booking Fee. Please note transaction fees may apply Bookings: www.qpac.com.au or phone 136 246 For media enquiries contact: Cindy Ullrich, Publicity Manager, QPAC ~ 07 3840 7589 ~ 0434 366-038 ~ [email protected] or Inga Tracey, Publicity Coordinator, QPAC ~ 07 3840-7984 ~ [email protected] Showcase Series #3 PROGRAM Vivaldi Guitar Concerto Rodrigo Songs Sor Seguidillas De Falla Three Cornered Hat (excerpt) Kenneth Young New Work Background information about Slava Grigoryan: Grigoryan was born 21 January 1976 in Kazakhstan to Eduard and Irina Grigoryan, both professional violinists. He is an Australian classical guitarist and recording artist of Armenian extraction. His family immigrated to Australia in 1981 and he was raised in Melbourne Grigoryan began to study guitar with his father at the age of seven. By the age of twelve he was already performing professionally and he made his solo debut in Sydney at fourteen. He attended St Michael's Grammar School during which time he studied with Ron Payne, and the Victorian College of the Arts. Following his win at the Tokyo International Classical Guitar Competition, Grigoryan was signed by Sony Music Entertainment in 1995 for whom he released four solo albums. Since then he has toured extensively in Europe, North America and Asia, making his New York debut in 1997. He changed labels to ABC Classics Australia in 2001 and has subsequently released a further solo album and an album recorded with his younger brother Leonard Grigoryan. Grigoryan has joined with fellow Australian musicians Anthony Field, Karin Schaupp and Gareth Koch to release albums under the group name Saffire. He has won a number of awards including Young Australian of the Year for the Arts in 1998, the Mo award for Instrumentalist of the Year in 2001, and the ARIA for Best Classical Album in 2002 (solo) and 2003 (as part of Saffire) Southern Cross Soloists at QPAC Southern Cross Soloists has been a company-in-residence at QPAC since July 2009. As part of this two year residency QPAC has committed to co-presenting a number of concerts, inviting the company to perform at QPAC events and providing office and rehearsal space in its Merivale Street Studio. For further information about Southern Cross Soloists visit www.southernxsoloists.com .