An afternoon concert at Oscarshall on Bygdøy presented in two parts, one in the Salon and one in the Dining Room, with the audience switching halls after the intermission. Programme includes works by Purcell, Dowland, Lawes, Mertz, Schubert, Sor, Falla, Barroso and Mozart.

Oscarshall

A renowned guitarist and pedagogue, Raphaella Smits plays worldwide on eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Alongside her international touring career, she has recorded more than 25 albums to great acclaim. Smits is recognized as a gifted teacher of both guitar and chamber music, frequently serving on the juries of prestigious international music competitions. She taught at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium for 36 years and continues to give master classes across Europe, the Americas, and Japan. In 1986, Smits was the first woman to win the first prize of the Francisco Tárrega International Guitar Competition in Spain, earning praise from chairmen Andrés Segovia and Narciso Yepes. Smits was recently awarded at the Festival Guitarras del Mundo in Argentina for her unique contributions to guitar music and culture.

EPSG:4326

Raphaella Smits, guitar

Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall

A sonic journey through eras, styles, and spirituality, where the solo guitar becomes the voice of what cannot be expressed. From the Romantic virtuosity of Johann Kaspar Mertz to the contemplative density of Messiaen, from the intimate transcriptions of Romantic Lieder and preludes to the solemn geometry of the Baroque Passacaglia, this program weaves an invisible thread across the centuries. A thread made of memory, transfiguration, and silence.

Edith Pageaud – Passacaglia of the Invisible

Chiaramonte Steri Palace

We kick off our summer season at the Tannery featuring one of America’s top guitarists for over 30 years. Leisner’s enchanting and inspiring playing will be on display in works from Bach to his own composition.

David Leisner, guitar Tannery Pond

Darrow School

Pre-College Guitar Department Solo Recital

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Masterclass: David Russell, guitar

Pre-College Studio Recital: Scott Cmiel, guitar

Join us for an enchanting afternoon of classical guitar music performed by the talented Richard Bann, a Bachelor of Music student under the guidance of Anne Waller. This recital promises to be a memorable event, showcasing a selection of pieces that highlight the expressive range of the classical guitar. The program includes Johann Kaspar Mertz's poignant "Elegie," the intricate "La Rossiniana No. 1, Op. 119" by Mauro Giuliani, and selections from Heitor Villa-Lobos's "Suite Popular Brasileira." Additionally, the audience will be treated to Agustín Barrios Mangoré's "Julia Florida" and "Un sueño en la floresta," culminating with Villa-Lobos's "Chôros No. 1."

This event is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 12:00pm CDT, taking place in the intimate setting of the McClintock Choral and Recital Room. Located within the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, this venue offers a perfect acoustic environment for the nuances of classical guitar, seating 120 guests in a space that's as inviting as it is acoustically accommodating.

Admission to this recital is free, making it an accessible opportunity for all to experience the beauty of classical guitar music. While tickets are not required, arriving early is recommended to secure a good seat. For those unable to attend in person, the event will also be available via live stream, ensuring no one misses out on this exquisite musical offering.

Don't miss this opportunity to support emerging talent and immerse yourself in the rich sounds of classical guitar. Whether in person or online, join us for a performance that promises to be both uplifting and inspiring.

Richard Bann, guitar

Ryan Center for the Musical Arts

Jonathan Rodríguez Ortega, Guitar – Masters Recital

University of Arizona

The event is free and you can just show up without a ticket. Please come in good time.

Johann Kaspar Mertz

Events

Past events

Aug 18, 2026

Oscarshall · Oslo Chamber Music Festival

Apr 11, 2026

Raphaella Smits, guitar · Northwestern Bienen School of Music

About

Johann Kaspar Mertz hasn't added a bio