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April 12, 2007

Paraguayan harpist to perform at Brown Theater April 17

Ramon Romero, harp virtuoso from Paraguay, and his ensemble Cuerdas de Fuego (Strings of Fire) will perform at the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Brown Theater Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Romero is considered a master of a 400-year-old tradition and has performed for audiences on four continents for 40 years. One especially notable concert was a performance for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. At the queen’s request, the 10-minute performance turned into a 45-minute set with an encore performance.

Romero began his passion for music at the age of three, when he tuned his father’s guitar on the sly. At 13, he built his first harp from guitar strings and an old window frame discarded during the renovation of the Presidential Palace in Asuncion, Paraguay.

He is a descendant of the Guarani Indians and plays his Paraguayan harp (carved from algarroba wood by Luthier Velois Rojas) to fulfill his personal mission to preserve and perform the vibrant folk music of his native South America.

He performs solo and with Cuerdas de Fuego, now touring annually in Europe and to theaters and music festivals throughout the United States.

Recent recordings include solo albums “Arpa Campesina” and “Rosas Para Ti,” as well as two releases with his ensemble, titled “Strings of Fire” and “Cuerdas de Fuegoi, Live in San Francisco (2006).”

ULM students, faculty and staff may attend free by presenting their I.D. Guest tickets may be purchased for $10.

For tickets and information, contact (318) 342-1414.

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