Virtuoso Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes will be in Clifden’s Station House Theatre next Tuesday, April 8, as part of Music Network’s latest tour.

This versatile musician, who was born and raised in São Paulo, fuses classical guitar with Brazilian folk music and is as happy delivering works by Bach as he is the music of his home country.

Plínio was signed up by the Decca Gold album label in 2021, when he was 27. His debut album Saudade was released the following year and reached number one on the Billboard Traditional Classical Albums Chart.

His second album, Bacheando, explored Bach’s influence on Brazilian music and was released in 2023 to great acclaim.

He followed that with a recital tour of the UK with cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, which included a sold-out performance at London’s Wigmore Hall.

In addition to regular collaborations with Sheku, Plínio regularly performs with pianist Lang Lang, including at his 2022 Royal Albert Hall concert –  that event can be seen on the Disney+ channel.

The mix of classical and Latin music that Plínio performs means he appeals to a broad range of fans and he sells out concert halls across the world, including New York’s Radio City Music Hall. He also gives solo recitals and masterclasses in locations from Hong Kong to Portugal, and throughout South America.

Plínio made his BBC Proms debut last year, and also premiered at Switzerland’s prestigious Lucerne Festival.

His playing has been described as ‘beguiling’ by BBC Music Magazine. Gramophone has observed that ‘his tone is gloriously rich’ and Acoustic Guitar has stated ‘Fernandes plays brilliantly with warmth, precision and a burnished tone’.

Plínio was named on Forbes Brazil’s ‘Under 30’ list, was selected as a Rising Star by Classic FM and most recently received the Revelação Award at the Annual Prêmio da Música Brasileira. An advocate for music education, he’s an ambassador with London Music Masters, regularly performing with and teaching young musicians in schools.

His Galway visit, under the auspices of the Clifden Arts Society, is as part of a national tour that also takes in venues in Kildare, Dublin, Clare, Wexford and Waterford.

Plínio Fernandes will be in the Station House Theatre next Tuesday, April 8, at 8pm with doors at 7.30pm. Tickets €15 plus €1.50 booking fee.

■ More information at www.musicnetwork.ie

Pictured: Plínio Fernandes who is on a Music Network tour of Ireland.