Celebrated mezzo-soprano to appear with cello octet

FALLBROOK — Mezzo-soprano Elena Gragera is, without a doubt, one of the most serious and interesting talents on the Spanish musical scene today. She will be appearing in concert with the world-renowned Amsterdam Cello Octet on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. in the Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts.

Gragera has a fascinating trajectory that has garnered unanimous acclaim in the musical press, and she is widely praised as much for the artistic quality, depth and expressive power of her work as much as she is for her innovative and original programming.

Brenda Montiel, president of Fallbrook Music Society, says, “We are delighted to present this captivating program that celebrates the emotional sounds of the cello and the human voice.”

Gragera is touring the United States with the celebrated Amsterdam Cello Octet in a program that features a wide variety of music styles and composers seldom heard during large orchestral performances. Gragera opens this eclectic program with music from her homeland by Joaquin Nin, “Cantos populares españolas,” which is reminiscent of the folk songs and religious hymns of Spain set with a challenging accompaniment by the cellos. She concludes the program with excerpts from Astor Piazzolla’s “El Tango” with all the vitality of Argentinean rhythm, movement and energy.

The Bob Burton Center is located at 2400 South Stage Coach Lane. Single tickets for this concert are available at (760) 451-8644 and http://www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org.