Giovanni’s Sweet Harmony

As Manchester Camerata’s new Leader Giovanni Guzzo gears up for his first concert in the the role, he talks to Liz Rowley of thisisstaffordshire.co.uk about his plans.

“Things are certainly changing in the Manchester Camerata camp. “Next week’s concert will be my first official one as leader and I’m really looking forward to it,” says 24-year-old Giovanni, who studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. “The process was quite gruelling but it sparked one of the best journeys of my life. “I went for an audition and met some of the members of the orchestra and then went on to have a six-month trial. It’s been brilliant so far because they are a great bunch of people.”

The programme at Stafford is set to be a treat for Mozart fans. His Divertimento K138 in F will open the night, swiftly followed by the Violin Concerto No. 3 and Symphony No. 29 in A.

“It’s a very exciting programme with three Mozart pieces. I’m going to be playing the solo in the concerto, which I’ll also direct, and I think people will be pleased with the choice. It’s one of his best-known concertos and is profoundly beautiful, as you would expect from Mozart.”

There will also be a performance of Last Round by Osvaldo Golijov, who Giovanni classes as one of the best Argentinian composers.

He says: “I rate this composer very highly and I’m pleased we are including his piece in the programme because people will enjoy it. It’s a contrast to Mozart, but he is an outstanding composer and it’s important to me that people get to hear his work.”

Described as a rising star by those around him, Giovanni began playing the violin at the age of six.

He went on to become the youngest violinist to win first price at the XII National Violin Competition Juan Bautista Plaza and has been gaining international recognition ever since.

Wednesday’s concert is a great opportunity for people to see him perform locally and to watch the popular orchestra embark on a new journey.

“Things are changing for Manchester Camerata and I’m pleased to be part of it,” he concludes. “I’ve been very lucky to have been able to work with Gábor Takács-Nagy who will be taking over as musical director next September. To me he is one of the greatest musicians alive and he is able to show people what music is really about and create exceptional live experiences.”

Manchester Camerata can be seen at the Stafford Gatehouse on Wednesday, September 29. It starts at 7.30pm with a pre-concert talk with Giovanni Guzzo at 6.30pm. To book tickets call 01785 254653.

Visit Manchester Camerata’s Stafford Home Page

Read more about Giovanni Guzzo and Manchester Camerata

Find out more about Gábor Takács-Nagy

Visit thisisstaffordshire.co.uk