Benaroya Hall Presents ANDANTE AMOROSO, 2/12

2011 marks the 13th year that guitar virtuoso Andre Feriante will host his annual Valentine's Day Concert at Benaroya Hall's Nordstrom RecitAl Hall. This award-winning, neo-flamenco/classical guitar virtuoso performs each year for hundreds of fans who savor the soulful and seductive harmonies his music embodies. It's all about romance but his melded styles and multi-guitar format keep the evening lively and upbeat.  Although soft and easy is definitely the theme, things will probably get a little spicy when Andre introduces his two newest loves to the audience: the mandolin and the ukulele.
 
Feriante will perform a musical mix of fiery flamenco, classical guitar standards and spoken poetry set to his original compositions in the style of Neruda and Rumi; followed by a series of romantic favorites performed in the classical and jazz styles and a special tribute to his legendary mentor, Andres Segovia. For the last 20-plus years Feriante has used Seattle as a base for his international career. A poet as well as composer, his artistic path has crossed with numerous Seattle-based musicians, and on special occasions they perform together. For the 2011 Valentine's Day Concert that mix includes: tenor Steve Thoreson, pianist Overton Berry, guitarist Erich Fridrich, and jazz vocalist Annie O'Neill. It is during ACTII of Andante Amoroso when Feriante will introduce this eclectic mix of musical professionals for an improvisational set sure to dazzle with their exquisite musicianship.
 
Andre Feriante Andante Amoroso is Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. in the Nordstrom RecitAl Hall at Benaroya Hall. Tickets are $40 and are on sale now through the Benaroya Hall Box Office, at 206.215.4747 or online at www.benaroyahall.org.
Andre Feriante - www.andreferiante.comAfter 20-plus years of performing and recording, award-winning virtuoso guitarist Andre Feriante has left his musical mark on the classical, world music and fusion scenes. A cross-over artist in the vein of YoYo Ma or Sting, his performance program represents a bold but fluid musical fusion, featuring music from Bach to Leonard Cohen, flamenco improvisation to jazz standards, and even poetry by Federico Garcia Lorca, Rumi and Feriante himself.
 
Born in Naples, Italy, Feriante spent his formative years between Southern Italy and Manziana, a village just outside Rome. At age nine he announced his intentions to be a flamenco guitarist. He worked and saved to buy his first instrument, then at 13, he began studying at the Overseas School of Rome. By age 16, he was already performing the works of Bach, Vivaldi, Albeniz and Scarlatti, and by 18, Feriante had launched his musical career, playing concerts in Rome, Berlin and North and South America. He continued his studies with world-renowned classical guitarists Andres Segovia and Jose Tomas (Segovia's assistant) in Madrid, Henry Rivas in Bogotá, Columbia and Leon Atkinson in New York.
 
A nylon string player from the classical tradition, Feriante's creative blend of classical, flamenco, and Brazilian styles speaks to people from all walks of life--from society sophisticates and blue-collar aficionados to Latin devotees and jazz hipsters. Often called the "People's Guitarist," Feriante brings his sensual, contemporary sound to an otherwise traditional genre. His bittersweet style and skillful playing is likened to Brazilian singer-guitarist Caetano Veloso; his style and sound have been compared to Andres Segovia; and his lyrical style to that of Leonard Cohen.  Critics cite Feriante's music for its dreamlike healing quality, much like a piece of Impressionist art. Graceful, elegant, and ardent, he explores the delicate aspects of love and loss.
 
 
Since moving to Seattle in the 1980s, Feriante has established himself as a local favorite, having performed throughout the Puget Sound area in public and private concerts for a virtual "Who's Who of Seattle." His music has been featured on NPR's Hearts and Space and in 2008 he was picked for the MSN celebrity feature, "12 Sexy Bald Men," along with Andre Agassi, Seal, Vin Diesel, Taye Diggs and Patrick Stewart. (http://www.andreferiante.com/article/7.html). In addition to his performance schedule, Feriante currently hosts "La Guitarra" on Classic King FM 98.1, the Arts Channel.
 
Feriante has played a wide variety of venues including The King Cat Theatre (where he opened for Olita Adams and David Benoit), The Frye Art Museum, The Paramount Theater, and the Key Arena, where he performed the National Anthem for the Seattle Sonics. Feriante recently performed with the Northwest Symphony at Benaroya Hall with Heart and Alice and Chains.Festival appearances include the Maui Music Festival, Seattle Folklife Festival, Seattle Hempfest and Bumbershoot. And Feriante headlined "La Festa di Manziana" in Rome. He makes regular appearances on Seattle radio and television and was featured on the Classical King FM Compilation Natural Symphony CD, as well as on the Tigerbreath label with Ottmar Liebert, Craig Chaquico and others. He has played at Javeriana University in Bogota, Colombia, and for Jose Carreras at both Carnegie Hall and Benaroya Hall (benefits for the Jose Carreras Leukemia Foundation).
 
Feriante's albums have consistently charted within the top 10, and, "Bohemian Boulevard," debuted at No. 1 on the world and ambient radio charts. It remained in the top 20 for five months and then went on to win "Best World Album" at the New Age Reporter's 2006 Lifestyle Awards.  He recently issued his eighth CD, a limited edition, "Best of Feriante," celebrating his 10th year anniversary Valentine show at Benaroya Hall, and on February 14, 2010, at the 12th Annual Benaroya Hall Valentines show, Feriante will officially release his tenth CD, "Sleeping Lady Serenade."
 
A seasoned, expressive performer whose style is as elegant as it is conversational, Feriante's innovative and effortless style appeals to any ear with a love and passion for music. He has dedicated his life to his art, and his ability to communicate through sound never fails to lead his audience on an emotional journey that is as deeply personal as it is universal.