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Composer, Harpist-Singer and Poet El Condor, Ricardo
García-Curbelo,
from an early age has been an eminent representative artist of Latin
America, nationally and internationally, on a wide variety of stages.
Known for his passionate, gifted way of communicating with the public,
he is
considered
today
an ambassador of the
Latin American poetry and music culture and
one of the
finest soloist
composer-performers
of the
land.
His
musical influences
stem from Joropo which
combines poetry, with Classical, Flamenco and Jazz.
He
sings and plays the
Modelo Corvado harps, the Cuatro and the Maracas with great skill.
Established in England since 1979, he has shared the stage with different
accomplished performers from around the world.
His reserved personality illustrates the characteristics of the real
Llanero who knows well the roots and values of his culture.
Ricardo has recorded 4 singles and 4
very
distinctive albums, his latest being
Espíritu
Llanero / A Londres (Llanero
Spirit / To London),
a varied recording of poetry works with themes for all occasions.
His most recent tour to the North of England and Scotland was part of the
launch of this
new album.
THE HOMO SAPIENS DREAM,
title track of his
previous album,
brings Latin America’s music and poetry to a new dimension.
This dramatic poetical-progressive interpretation
of human evolution has been much acclaimed by audiences. Thanks to this
piece,
Ricardo
was presented as the perfect act for the day at the London Natural History
Museum, during the Exhibition Road Festival
in
2010.
Further
info. about Ricardo's music at: Link
pages
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Ricardo studied the harp at the Music Academy of
Villavicencio, with Luis Alberto Curvelo, his
brother and Director of the institution. Ricardo later became Director of
Dance for 3 years at this academy.
The two
brothers founded The Music Academy of Puerto
Carreño
(Vichada) and Ricardo lead the first music cultural representation
of
the region,
which was
awarded
first prizes
internationally. He
went on to study music theory at the Music Academy Luis A.
Calbo and attended voice production classes
with
legendary
maestro cultural promoter, Manuel Zapata Olivella,
at the National University in Bogotá.
As a young artist
Ricardo shared stage performances with international stars such as Julio
Iglesias, at La Media Torta
(Bogotá). He toured extensively throughout Colombia and Venezuela,
after being selected by Polimeros Colombianos as one of the National
leading representatives of the Llanos as a poet and a dancer. He has also
toured to Brazil, Mexico and North Africa.
The special talent that Ricardo showed early as an artist on stage
before the maestro representatives of Llanero music (Joropo), led him to
be the youngest dancer and
composer/poet/performer to be awarded International first prizes on
several occasions.
He
is a winner of six international competitions in his home land,
three as poetry writer and performer and three as a dancer.
Here in Europe, his dedication
as a unique artist and restless desire to
contribute and to open new horizons for his culture, led him to construct
a new Latin American harp,
the
Modelo Corvado,
and with this
instrument, the development and presentation of a unique new wave of
poetic music. In 1990 he introduced on British
Television his first version of this instrument, and in January 2000 he
completed and gave his first concert in London with his new design.
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As a poet, Ricardo
is
today
artistically known
as El Cóndor.
He is author of numerous
compositions, exceeding 500 hundred works of instrumental music, songs and
poetry, books, and plays.
Several
of his works have been recorded by him and by different artists. His most
well-known titles include: LA VERDAD DESNUDA (The
Naked Truth), COLOMBIA PARA TI (Colombia For You), LA VERDAD DESCUBIERTA (The Discovered Truth), EL
QUE MANDA ES EL BILLETE, (Money Is What Governs),
CARTA A MI PUEBLO (Letter To My Town), EL
IRRACIONAL (The Irrational), THE FAREWELL POEM, THE ORINOCO DOLPHIN, THE BALLERINA and his music poetical-progressive
composition,
THE HOMO SAPIENS DREAM. Ricardo lives in England. He married Sharon Elizabeth Peters. They had met previously in
Colombia and lived together in Bogotá. It was to Sharon that he wrote one
of today's most loved poems of his country, Colombia Para Ti. From
their marriage they have a son,
Alex.
Ricardo continued
studies of voice production and music composition at the City
Literary Institute in London.
He studied also English as a Second Language and Spanish Literature
at the Polytechnic
of Central London.
In 1987 Ricardo formed the group MATIZ. He has given performances in a
great number of halls,
theatres and educational institutions and has represented Latin America
both as soloist, and as leader of MATIZ throughout the UK in
different musical events, such as the Edinburgh International Festival;
Cardiff World Harp Festival, Pontardawe Festival, Music for Clarinbridge (Ireland), Art in Action Oxfordshire (England);
(FITA) Festival of International Theatre and Arts London;
O' Carolan Harp Festival
(Ireland); Festival,
The National Eisteddfod Of Wales (Wales);
Woodford Festival (England);
Colombiage Cultural Festival 2010 London.
He
has recorded live performances for BBC Radio and TV, and Satellite BSB TV.
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Ricardo
has given several
benefit performances in England, the most recent being
a concert in aid of Cancer Research at Epping
Hall, Epping. Charity concert for
St
Catherine’s Church, Ventnor
(Isle of Wight); CONCERT FOR JAPAN,
charitable
Concert to raise awareness and funds for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami catastrophe in Japan in April 2011..
a video documentary, From the Cradle to The Universe,
released by Theatro Technis Charity (London); a concert in aid of Children of the Andes at St
James Church, Piccadilly (London).
Over the past few years he was one of the favourite performers in Art in Action in Oxfordshire.
More recently, his series of
Seasonal
solo concerts, Rhythms From Latin America, have expanded to different
regions of the UK where they have been well received. Joined by
classical guitarist Adrian Azuelo, the last
London winter concerts ,
crafted by these two fine soloists, embraced the Spanish and Latin
American music culture widely, with two very much appreciated
performances.
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Ricardo's
originality, enhanced by the impressive sound response of his unique
Modelo
Corvado
harps
keeps taking audiences by surprise. Many compliments have been written about his
performances:
Full compliments page
here
A most enjoyable
evening. Beautiful classical & original harp music.
S. C.
Mesmerising music. Both guitar and harp were
spellbinding.
Christina and Nik
(Concert at Lauderdale
House London
19
March 2017)
A wonderful
introduction into a completed different expression of harp music
beautifully expressed. Than you.
Susie.
(Concert
at
Lopping Hall
19
Nov 2016)
Very
atmospheric /mesmerising…great range of emotions
evoked – thank you! The Homo sapiens piece reminded me (in places!) of
Pink Floyd.
Stan L.
(Concert
at
Reeth
North Yorkshire 26/8/2016)
A night of powerful, breathtaking and simply spectacular
music from this master player of the Latin American harp
(Concert in Wales,
described
by Valleys Roots)
He has got to be seen to be believed
(Time Out)
Music, passion and virtuosity on stage
(Theatro Technis)
The New Face of the Harp
(Colombia Activa magazine
review)
A record marked by
its creative ideas and sensitive poetry.
There is a true sense of the texture of Latin America here, marked
by hopes and dreams as well as emotional experiences…
The Orinoco Dolphin album, reviewed by Folk
Roots magazine.
His vibrant and romantic compositions,
along with
colorful traditional
melodies, have added a
unique, sparkling touch
to many beautiful and
memorable wedding receptions
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Ricardo
have shared the stage with
many talented soloist musicians, amongst them,
pianist/composer, Frank
Abbinanti, classical guitarist David Caswell,
Master Harpist of the triple harp, Robin Huw Bowen,
guitarist singer/songwriter, Kai Jansen
and classical
guitarist, Adrian Azuelo. He has performed along with many leading musicians/performers such as Jazz
singer, Sarah Jane Morris, harpist/singer, Marie Ni
Chathasaigh,
guitarist, Christ Newman, Legendary folk artist,
Martin Carthy, Jazz-fusion guitarist, Simon
Cruz, classical
violinist, Ann Wood,
classical
cellist, Helen Godbolt, and
dramatist/saxophonist, Make Chase
In
October '05 Ricardo toured Ireland, where he received a
standing ovation at Clarinbridge International Festival. He
gave several performances, such as the Universities of Galway and
Limerick. In Clarinbridge 2 years previously he was presented with an
award in recognition of his work as a composer, musician and performer
Possibilities are arising for future
performances abroad. He has been invited to travel to Colombia, to Los
Llanos to pick up an award which he would be honored to receive next time
he visits the country.
The Latin American Professionals
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* If you wish to book Ricardo Curbelo for a performance
please
E
mail
Call or text: 077 6105 5076
or use the above facilities
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