FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION THE AMIGOS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AMIGOS? AGM 2010/11 was held at the Centro Cultural S?o Louren?o on Friday November 18th., 2011. The AGM, under the leadership of Assembleia Geral?s president, John Levitt, was conducted with his usual humor and style. Barry Shaw, the president, reported on the events of the previous 2010-11 AMIGOS? year which included many excellent concerts and the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the Centro Cultural S?o Louren?o.
The opening concert of the previous musical year was by Yevgeny Sudbin, the young Russian hailed by the Daily Telegraph as one of the greatest pianists of the 21st. Century. Among other great concerts was that given by the vivacious and bouncy Russian pianist Katya Apekesheva to celebrate the beginning of the Centro Cultural?s 30th. Anniversary.
Then came one of the highlights of the Amigos? musical year. The world famous pianist Piers Lane and the renowned clarinettist Michael Collins gave two superb concerts. Michael Collins is now the Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia. Soon after the very much in demand Chinese pianist Sa Chen flew in from Beijing via Vienna to give two amazing concerts.
In June the Amigos had a Latin American themed dinner to celebrate the Centro Cultural?s 30th. anniversary. It was a splendid evening complete with tango dancers and exquisite cocktails, food and wine catered superbly by Annelies Ruegebrink. To round out the musical year in June 2010 violinist Jeroen de Groot and pianist Bart van den Roer gave two wonderful concerts.
Following Barry Shaw?s report it was the turn of Michael Savage, the Hon. Treasurer to present the accounts which were approved by the members present.
One of the highlights of AMIGO?s AGMs is for the person being sponsored by the AMIGOS and Mundo Crastino Meliori to give a concert. Last year Joanna Ballmann, the young Portuguese pianist, who had been sponsored for the past 4 years at the Conservatory in Cologne, gave a wonderful final concert. She graduated soon afterwards and may be off to Brazil to further her professional career.
Ana Beatriz Ferreira is being sponsored for 3 years to study at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London. Born in 1991, Ana Beatriz graduated from the National Conservatory in Lisbon in 2009, finishing her piano studies with the top classification. After completing her studies at the Escola Superior de Musica de Lisboa she was admitted to the RCM. Ana Beatriz together with her RCM teacher, Prof. Ruth Nye, had chosen to present a program by Mozart and Liszt. Ana Beatriz gave an introduction to her program and then proceeded to deliver these difficult and demanding pieces with great feeling and assurance.
Following Ana Beatriz?s concert the AMIGOS present were treated a sumptuous supper by Marie Huber and her team at the Centro Cultural.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR?S CONCERTS. CLASSICAL PORTUGUESE GUITAR ? MIGUEL DRAGO & PEDRO FRIAO. THESE WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 28th., 2011 & WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4th., 2012. EVERYBODY IS WELCOME.
For more information about the 2011/2012 concert program visit the AMIGO?s website www.amigos-de-musica.org or www.centroculturalsaolourenco.com
Call Cristina at 289395475 to make concert bookings.
ABOUT THE AMIGOS AND THE CENTRO CULTURAL
The Centro Cultural is located next to the historic Church of S?o Louren?o, near Almancil, and holds regular exhibitions by well known artists and sculptors. The AMIGOS is an international group of around 110 members who support the musical activities at the Centro Cultural by underwriting the concerts which are regularly performed there. Concerts at the Centro Cultural begin at 7.30pm sharp. Wine and lemonade is served from 7.00pm. During the interval wine and canapes are served. Entry is 25 for guests and non-members. For membership enquiries please contact Margaret Jackson, AMIGOS secretary at jackson.algarve@mail.telepac.pt