Virginia Arts Festival and Tidewater Classical Guitar Society Present David Russell

One of the top classical guitarists performing today is coming to Norfolk as part of the Virginia Arts Festival. A prolific recording artist and veteran of performances around the world, David Russell has won a Grammy Award and great praise from music critics, who note his formidable technical accomplishment and wonderfully sophisticated musicianship...evocative playing and luscious singing tone" (The Atlanta Constitution). NPR has called Russell a "classical guitar god" and The Washington Post applauds his superb performances of repertoire that ranges from classical to folk tradition, often in his own arrangements, showcasing "a musical imagination that stretched far beyond the limitations of the six strings."

Born in Glasgow Scotland, Russell was just five years old when his family moved to Minorca, Spain, where he fell in love with the sound of the guitar. His father, an amateur guitarist, played recordings by the great Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia, and before he could even read music young David could play the Segovia tunes by ear. At 16, he began studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London; 30 years later, in 1997, the now world-famous guitarist was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music. Despite his ties to the United Kingdom, Russell has made his home in Spain since childhood, and is so beloved in his adopted hometown that they named a street after him: "Avinguda David Russell."

Tickets for David Russell's performance are $35 and can be purchased online at www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822 or by visiting the Virginia Arts Festival box office located at 440 Bank Street in Norfolk between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.