[attach id=242772 size="medium"]Born in London to Spanish parents, Bonell studied at the Royal College of Music with John Williams. Photo: Roy Stedall-Humphreys[/attach]

Carlos Bonell, one of the world’s most celebrated guitarists, will be visiting our shores next week.

Bonell returns to the Manoel Theatre to give a concert on Tuesday at 8pm. The guitarist first performed at the Manoel in the 1970s and returned in 1981, 1985 and in 1990.

His programme for the concert includes Gordon Mizzi’s transcriptions of the Branles de Malte by Jean d’Estree, works by Tarrega, Villa Lobos and Bach’s Lute Suite No.1 in E minor. The second half of the programme will feature works by Maltese composer Gordon Mizzi.

Born in London to Spanish parents, Bonell studied at the Royal College of Music with John Williams, where he was appointed the youngest ever professor in 1972. At the beginning of his recording career, his 1976 CBS recording with John Williams and Friends received a Grammy nomination.

Since then, Bonell has made more than 20 LP and CD recordings.

He helped Paul McCartney in notating and recording a concerto for guitar and orchestra. This association with McCartney also led to his release of the album Magical Mystery Guitar Tour in 2011, dedicated to the music of the Beatles in Bonell’s own arrangements for solo guitar. The album went straight to number one on the iTunes classical album charts.

As part of the Manoel’s Toi Toi Education Programme ticket holders for the concert will be able to attend a preshow talk given by Neil Briscoe White at 7.15pm.

On Wednesday, Bonell will be giving a workshop for guitarists and music lovers at the Manoel’s Studio Theatre at 6pm.

Bookings for both events may be made by phone on 2124 6389, e-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or online: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt