Eleftheria Kotzia, classical guitar: ‘A Mediterranean Journey’ in Budleigh Salterton

Saturday 13 June 7.30 pm The Peter Hall

Described by a US reviewer as doing for the Greek soul what flamenco does for the Spanish, Eleftheria Kotzia, internationally renowned Greek born guitarist, takes you on an unforgettable journey to the shores of the east and west Mediterranean. The programme will include masterpieces by composers such as Joaquin Rodrigo, Roland Dyens, Regino Sainz de la Maza as well as Greek composers. Guitar favorites by Isaac Albeniz and Francisco Tarrega will also feature in this varied and spirited programme.


Born in northern Greece, in Alexandroupolis, Eleftheria Kotzia studied guitar at the National Conservatory in Athens, the Conservatoire National Supérieure in Paris, and finally at the Guildhall School of Music in London. Among her teachers have been Julian Bream, Alexandre Lagoya, Dimitri Fampas, David Russell and Timothy Walker. She was the winner of the first prize in the 6th International Guitar Competition in Milan.

When she made her London debut The Times admired her skill, unfailing beguiling tone and her ability to vary her touch with fluency. Since then Eleftheria Kotzia has performed for various radio and TV stations, including the BBC and WNYC and has given recitals at some of the most famous concert halls in the world, including the Merkin Concert Hall and the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York, the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, The Wigmore Hall and the South Bank Centre in London, the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens, Les Halles and the Amphitheatre Richelieu in the Sorbonne in Paris, the Jubilee Hall - Raffles Hotel in Singapore , The Rudolfinum in Prague.

Eleftheria Kotzia has an impressive list of recordings to her credit. Among them the first recording of Michael Tippet's The Blue Guitar, which was described as life enhancing, enjoyed unanimous critical acclaim and was selected by Gramophone magazine as a Critic's Choice Recording of the Year. The American Record Guide hailed her as a wizard-a strong sensuous player with bite and sass. John Tavener's only solo guitar work, Chant, was also recorded for the first time by Eleftheria Kotzia, in a special adaptation made for her by the composer.

Kotzia was selected to represent Greece in London's Millennium Celebrations: String of Pearls. She played the guitar part in the first performance of John Tavener's Fall and Resurrection in St Paul's Cathedral, London, which was televised live and subsequently issued on CD/DVD.

Eleftheria Kotzia teaches at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and gives master classes and training courses around the world. She is a frequent judge in international guitar competitions.

This concert will be in the more informal setting of The Peter Hall and will include wine and tapas/mezze, hence the price! The number of tickets is limited to 80, so early booking is advised.

Tickets £15 from the following outlets:

The Lawn Bakery, The Lawn, Budleigh Salterton
Lesleys, Stationers, High Street, Budleigh Slterton
Eagle House, The Strand, Exmouth
Tourist Information Centre, Ham Lane, Sidmouth

By telephone:
Ring 01395 442275 and request the tickets. You will be asked to forward a cheque made payable to St Peter's Music and a return S.A.E.
At the door on the night. These are subject to availability.
Concessions: Full time students pay half the advertised price.