Dynamic Mexican-born guitarist Morgan Szymanski makes his Bermuda Festival debut at City Hall tonight with a one-off performance.

His programme includes works by Italian, Paraguay, Brazilian, Argentinian, Cuban and British composers, namely: Mauro Giuliani, Antonio Lauro, Agustin Barrios Mangoré, Astor Piazzolla, Simone Iannarelli, Leo Brouwer, Paulo Bellinati, and Alec Roth. In fact, one of the pieces by the latter, 'The Unicorn in the Garden', was written especially for the artist. Curtain time is 8 p.m.

Born in 1979, Mr. Szymanski first began playing the guitar aged six. Early studies at the National Music School in Mexico, and the Edinburgh Music School, led to a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, England, from which he graduated in 2004 with first class honours. During these studies, the gifted student won all of the RCM guitar prizes, as well as six scholarships, one of which allowed him to study at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

Mr. Szymanski then became the first solo guitarist chosen by the Young Concert Artists Trust, and he was also the first guitarist to be awarded a Junior Fellowship at the Royal College of Music, where he completed his master's degree with distinction.

Further honours followed as he garnered top awards in many international competitions, including first prize at Mexico's prestigious National Guitar Competition in 2002.

The artist's flourishing career, both as a soloist and with orchestras, includes performances at major festivals and venues throughout Europe, as well as in the United Kingdom, Africa and Central America. He has appeared with many well-known orchestras, and made his debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.

Future engagements include concerto performances with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Macedonia Philharmonic, and the City of Birmingham Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Szymanski is a founding member of Machaca, an international ensemble comprising some of the UK's finest musicians. Its first recording, 'Mano a Mano', was hailed by Gramophone magazine as "a real jewel of a disc, with Szymanski demonstrating that he is not only a soloist of formidable talent but also that rare thing among guitarists: a fine chamber musician".

The artist collaborates regularly with percussionists O Duo, with whom he has given concerts throughout Europe; with composer Alec Roth, whose guitar quintet was written especially for him; and with librettist Vikram Seth on the albums 'Songs in Time of War' and 'Chinese Songs', which he recorded recently on the Signum label with British tenor Mark Padmore.

Mr. Szymanski's own recordings include 'The Unicorn in the Garden', which was released in 2005, and described by Classical Guitar magazine as top class in every respect".

In 2006 he composed the original soundtrack to the award-winning Mexican documentary, 'Toro Negro', and his 'Zambesi Sarabande' was premièred at Zimbabwe's Bulawayo Music Festival in 2008.

Other collaborations have included duo recitals with Carlos Bonnell in Mexico and London; the Cervantes Choir; Luzmira Zerpa, and Vietnamese accordion player Phuong Nguyen.

Reviewers have hailed Mr. Szymanski's playing as among the best" and lauded his "flexible rhythmic energy … command of colour... and superb sense of style", while Classical Guitar magazine pronounced him "a very exciting player…destined for future glories".

Given the fine reputation which precedes him, it is certain that the guitarist's Bermuda Festival debut will be a memorable one.

For ticket information see websites www.bermudafestival.org or www.bdatix.bm For ticket purchases only telephone 232-2255. For general information about the Festival telephone 232-8499. For in-person ticket purchases, visit BDATIX ticket centres at: the iStore, 46 Reid Street, Hamilton (open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Fabulous Fashions, Heron Bay Plaza, Southampton (open Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 pm.).