Konstantin Lapshin (piano) and Joaquín Sofredini (countertenor) perform at Os Agostos
The Amigos de Música are organising two concerts at Os Agostos estate, near Santa Bárbara de Nexe, this month.
On Tuesday, February 21, they welcome back well-known pianist Konstantin Lapshin from London. He will play a romantic programme with works by Schubert and, for the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff this year, he has prepared the 2nd Sonata of this late rRussian composer.
On Thursday, February 23, Konstantin will play piano works by Rameau and Chopin and, as a special guest, Argentinian countertenor Joaquin Sofredini will join him ‘on stage’ for a selection of English folk songs and ballads and some famous opera airs by Gluck and Bizet.
London-based Russian pianist Konstantin Lapshin has won many national and international competitions including the Rachmaninov International Piano Competition in Moscow and the Piano Competition Schubert International in Dortmund.
He has participated in some of the most prestigious music competitions and festivals, including the “Primavera Classica” (Italy), Llandeilo and Buxton International Festivals (UK), among others.
Konstantin completed his Doctor of Music at the Royal College of Music in 2018 where he was awarded the Chappell Gold Medal as well as the Queen Elisabeth Rose Bowl, the award for most outstanding student.
He played for HRH Prince Charles of Wales, now King Charles III, and was named “Rising Star” at London’s prestigious Cadogan Hall. He is currently professor at the London College of Music.
He has also given recitals and concerts in London’s Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room in the Southbank Centre, Steinway Hall, Cadogan Hall, Salle Cortot in Paris, Christophori Salon in Berlin, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory amongst others.
Joaquín Sofredini is an Argentinian composer, actor and countertenor.
From an early age, Joaquín has taken singing lessons in his hometown Paraná. After his permanent move to Buenos Aires in 2004, a grant awarded by ‘Fondo de las Artes’ allowed him to study with Ricardo Yost and perfect his vocal range.
He also began chamber music studies with the harpsichordist Monica Cosachov and, in 2007, he developed as a countertenor at the Conservatorio Beethoven with Marilu Anselmi.
In 2009, Joaquín debuted as Orfeo in the Gluck opera “Orfeo and Euridice” with great success.
At the beginning of 2019, Joaquín was invited by the prestigious La Botica del Ángel to present his new show “De luces y Sombras”, whereupon the artistic French company Tall Men Productions commissioned him to undertake a concert tour in different cities of France. Thus began Joaquín’s new international career.
In June 2019, he debuted in Paris with his first concert, accompanied by the renowned Russian pianist, Konstantin Lapshin.
In July, he performed at the Avignon Festival with three concerts at Theatre des Amants, before traveling to Strasbourg and successfully concluding this series of concerts at the Clair de Nuit Festival in which he was considered “the revelation”.
He had his first concert in England, “Music by the Moonlight”, and in the city of London he received an award for “Best Classical Singer”, given by the Stars of the Albion festival.
The Amigos de Música is an international group of around 120 members who stage musical activities by internationally renowned musicians and also sponsor young Portuguese musicians.
It is a non-profit organisation and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
Concerts will take place in the Auditorium of Os Agostos. Doors will open at 6pm and the concert will begin at 7pm. There will be wine, fruit juices and canapés available for self-service.
Entry donation, including refreshments, is €30 per person for guests and non-members, payable in advance by bank transfer (see website www.amigosdemusica.org). For concert bookings, email [email protected]
For more information about the Amigos de Música and concert programmes, visit www.amigosdemusica.org
For membership enquiries, email [email protected]
Next concerts will be on March 21 and 23 with Australian Pianist Piers Lane.
Os Agostos is an impressive 18th century country estate located above Santa Bárbara de Nexe and near Bordeira. For navigation instructions go to: http://www.osagostos.com
