Duo Melis, Guitars March 19, 2011

San Francisco Performances and Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts present guitarists Duo Melis, whose San Francisco debut in 2007 was described as a showcase of "sensitive musicianship, virtuosic panache and stylish performances" (San Francisco Classical Voice). The Spanish Susana Prieto and Greek Alexis Muzurakis play a recital at the Herbst Theatre Saturday, March 19, at 8 p.m.

Opening with three classic dances from Manuel De Falla's opera, La Vida Breve, and ballet, El Sombrero de Tres Picos, the program spans Nikolai Kapustin's classically-infused jazz, 20th century Spanish and Italian music with folk flair and rhythms, and the modern, genre-crossing Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera. Prieto and Muzurakis transcribed most of these pieces for two guitars.

Prieto and Muzurakis, who have been married since 1996, began performing together in 1999, winning first prize at the International Guitar Duo Competition of Frechen, in Germany. Since then, they have acquired many competition prizes, collaborated with orchestras around the world, and recorded their debut CD in 2003.

Their perfectly matched sound and charisma have won critical and peer acclaim. David Russell (who performs on the Guitar Series April 22), said of them: "They convince us the guitar duo is a great musical instrument."

Tickets for this intimate recital start at just $30. For more information, visit sfperformances.org or call 415.392.2545.

Official Website: http://sfperformances.org/performances/1011/DuoMelis.html