The Romeros Returning to Poway, 4/12

Celebrating 55 years as the "Royal Family of the Guitar," The Romeros have dazzled audiences worldwide and earned raves from fans and critics. Returning for an encore performance to the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, The Romeros will perform on Sunday, April 12th at 2:00 PM. Back by popular demand, this family of classical guitar masters will delight audiences in North County Inland, once again. Their last performance at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts sold out well in advance.

A family affair, The Romeros includes three generations of musicians. The legendary Celedonio Romero, with his sons Celin, Pepe and Angel, founded the internationally-renowned guitar quartet. Debuting first as a soloist in Franco Spain, Celedonio became an expert in classical guitar. By the time his sons were ages two and three, they began to learn guitar from their father. By the time the boys reached age seven, The Romeros began performing together as a quartet. The Romeros later moved to the United States where they walked onto the world stage as the first guitar quartet while the boys were still in their teens. Since then, The Romeros have given hundreds of concerts all over the world and have consistently inspired and impressed audiences, reaching an ever-growing fan base.

The prestigious reputation of The Romeros has been confirmed by increasing encore performances with virtually every major symphony orchestra in the United States. The Romeros have played with symphonies in Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Detroit and many others. The family has been invited twice to play at the White House and has performed for dignitaries worldwide, including Pope John Paul II at the Vatican City and Prince Charles of Wales. His Royal Majesty, King Juan Carlos I of Spain knighted Pepe and Celin into the Order of 'Isabel la Catolica' which is Spain's highest honor. The family continues to produce music today and has a list of regular festival appearances in which they perform on top of their regular touring schedule.

In 1996, founder of the guitar quartet, Celedonio Romero, passed away, leaving behind a major music legacy. As the family says, "the spirit of the quartet is in him; all our concerts now will be to pay homage to him." Today, his sons and grandsons continue to live his legacy as three generations of Romeros make up this famous "Royal Family of the Guitar." Rounding out this guitar quartet of concert artists is Celin, Pepe, Celin's son Celino and Angel's son Lito. To have so many virtuosi of the same instrument in one family is unique in the world of musical performance, and in the realm of classical guitar it is unprecedented. Only a few fortunate musicians, at the peak of their musical art form, became recognized as leaders in the industry. Still fewer originate a new art form. The Romeros have achieved both.

Celebrating their 55th Anniversary this year with three generations of musicians, The Romeros continue to be an inspiration to composers, practitioners and fans of classical music. Of The Romeros, the New York Times says, "Collectively, they are the only classical guitar quartet of real stature in the world today; in fact, they virtually invented the format...They are, without a doubt, the grand masters of the guitar."

Adult tickets range from $38 - $58. GEICO Youth Tickets are $14 with purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets are on sale now by visiting www.powayarts.org or by calling or visiting the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Box Office, at 15498 Espola Rd., Poway. Box Office hours are Fridays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm, Saturdays from 10:00am to 3:00pm and two hours before curtain. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 858-668-4797. Dinner on the Plaza is now available for a full evening of entertainment. Dine under the stars prior to the performance with a gourmet, buffet meal catered by Cafe? Merlot. Dinner on the Plaza tickets are $25 and include one complimentary beverage (wine, beer or non-alcoholic). Tickets to The Romeros are required for admission to dinner. Heaters are provided on cool evenings.

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