Pablo Sáinz-Villegas has been acclaimed by the international press for his “virtuous and moving performance, with an irresistible exuberance and a range of bright colors.” The New York Times
Since his debut at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic, he has become a benchmark in today’s symphonic guitar, playing with conductors and orchestras such as the Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Israel Philharmonics, the National Orchestra of France and Spain and performing in historic venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Philharmonie in Berlin, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the National Auditorium in Madrid and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo.
His milestones include his interpretation of the Aranjuez Concert with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and its principal conductor Kirill Petrenko on the occasion of the New Year’s concert broadcast in Europe by the television channel ARTE, the Princess of Asturias Awards Concert, and his participation in the Metropolitan Opera Gala last May at the Palace of Versailles. He is the creator and artistic director of La Rioja Festival, an initiative born in 2022.
His commitments for the 2022/2023 season include, among others, tours with the Berliner Baroque Solisten, with the mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, with the Madrid Community Orchestra in Switzerland, and with the Belgian National Orchestra and conductor Josep Vicent, as well as his participation in the New Year’s Concert of the Czech Philharmonic with the conductor Juanjo Mena.
Pablo Sáinz-Villegas has been awarded more than thirty international prizes including the Andrés Segovia, the Riojan Arts Award, the RNE Critical Eye Award, and the Trelles Villademoros awarded by the Royal Body of the Nobility of the Principality of Asturias. He is also Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of La Rioja. He has played for world leaders such as the Dalai Lama and has made numerous world premieres including the first work written for guitar by John Williams.
Pablo Sáinz-Villegas was born in La Rioja (Spain) and since 2001 lives in New York City.
2023
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
