PROJECTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM
MEDIO SIGLO
A tribute to the Art and Sound of José Luis Romanillos
Saturday June 17th - 5:30 p.m.
VOLUNTARY DONATION AT THE END OF THE CONCERT
The documentary Medio Siglo, the art and sound of José Romanillos, has been made over the course of a year, after the luthier's death, and will be premiered on the big screen at the Margarita Xirgu Theatre in Badalona. During the year 2023, the project Medio Siglo is being presented in cities all over the world. Badalona has been chosen because it is hosting this Festival dedicated to the memory of José Luis Romanillos. The next presentations will be in New York and Brussels.
THE DOCUMENTARY
Medio Siglo (Half a Century) is a documentary film about José Luis Romanillos, one of the most influential Spanish classical guitar makers of the 20th century, who passed away just over a year ago and to whom this festival is dedicated.
The documentary explains many details of the life and work of this luthier, with first-hand testimonies from people who knew him closely.
The film also shows part of the process of making the album Medio Siglo, a unique and exclusive work, recorded and published as a posthumous tribute to him.
The main promoters of the Medio Siglo project -both the record and the documentary- have been Romanillos' wife -now his widow- Marian Harris, and the famous Greek guitarist Antigoni Goni, who will give a live recital after the screening of the documentary in which she will perform most of the pieces contained on the record.
Format: Digital video
Language: English, with Spanish subtitles.
TRAILER
THE MEDIO SIGLO PROJECT
MEDIO SIGLO is an exclusive record containing José Luis Romanillos' favourite guitar pieces, performed by Antigoni Goni, in some cases as a soloist and in others as a duo or trio with the other two members of the Volterra Project Trio, Luca Isolani and Maarten Vandenbemden.
The original instruments used for the recording of Medio Siglo are the last four guitars built by José Luis Romanillos: "La Rosa", "La Amistad", "Marian" and "Medio Siglo". The latter, considered by the luthier himself as the best of all the guitars he built, is the one that gives its name to the entire project. However, all four instruments are masterpieces, and are closely related to moments and aspects of the life of José Luis himself and his wife Marian.
The disc was recorded by the legendary engineer John Taylor. The project has also involved outstanding professionals such as the guitarist and producer Cedric Honings and the prestigious German luthier Gerhard J. Oldiges.
THE MEDIO SIGLO ALBUM
The result of this work has been published this year 2023 in digital format and also in an exclusive edition as a vinyl record. In this classic presentation, the LP album is accompanied by a booklet with high quality photographic material, texts and personal memories of Romanillos and Marian, all included with an aesthetic presentation in a numbered slipcase personally signed by Marian Harris.
This exclusive album will be available for purchase during the festival at the El Carme Cultural Centre, at the stand set up for this purpose in the exhibition hall. This will also be a collection point for those who have previously purchased the album online. This will allow them to visit the exhibition and save shipping costs.
At any time you can buy this album online on the website of the Medio Siglo project:
We hope that the Medio Siglo project will help to keep alive the memory of José Luis Romanillos and his legacy, and serve as a reminder of the complexity, beauty and chromatic richness of our instrument.
The album "Medio Siglo" intends to be a tribute to the sound and art of the distinguished violero José Luis Romanillos, an expression of gratitude for his unparalleled understanding of his trade, for the depth of his artistic sensibility and for the unique way in which his guitars They are capable of touching the deepest strings of our emotions.
Antigoni Goni
PRESENTATION OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM
MEDIO SIGLO
A tribute to the Art and Sound of José Luis Romanillos
Saturday, June 17th - 5:30 p.m.
The reservation includes the documentary (5:30 p. m.) and the Antigoni Goni concert (7:00 p. m.)
Book your seat here (2 max.):
VOLUNTARY DONATION AT THE END OF THE CONCERT