In Memoriam

Pictured from left: Elena Pappandreou, Oscar Ghiglia, and Eliot Fisk in Thesssloniki, January 2024.

Pictured from left: Eliot Fisk, Fred Draper, and Christopher Parkening in New York

Pictured from left: Bruce Holzman, Michael Chapdelaine

Prof. Enric Madriguera in masterclass with Maestro Andres Segovia

This year Boston Guitar Fest pays homage to a number of great colleagues who have left us since our previous Festival in 2023. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and we salute their many contributions to our “noble art”.

We mourn the passing of Maestro Oscar Ghiglia, whose great presence will never be forgotten. As poetic, virtuoso performer; inspiring, mystical teacher and treasured and indispensable friend, Oscar enriched the lives of all who came in contact with him. He was a giant presence and a true North Star of inspiration. His ever present light helped generations of aspiring artists and music lovers to navigate a sure course through the musical universe.

Boston GuitarFest XIX is dedicated to his memory.

Boston Guitar Fest also mourns the passing of Michael Chapdelaine, a fearless, maverick artist who began his guitar journey as a classical guitar virtuoso trained by Bruce Holzman, but soon discovered his own unique style in the finger style realm. Mike was a legend in his own time: a great personality and generous friend who through his many recordings, videos and live performances inspired a whole new fan base and expanded the guitar outwards in his utterly unforgettable fashion. In 2010 Boston Guitar Fest with its theme “America America” was honored to feature Mike live from the stage of Jordan Hall. We miss him terribly.

This year we mourn also the loss of Prof. Enric Madriguera, a direct pupil of Maestro Andres Segovia and for many years a fundamental force for good in the Dallas area and around the world. Ric’s performances and recordings and his wonderful mentoring of generations of students at the University of Texas Dallas are unforgettable. Ric was a frequent guest of Gfest as a judge in our composition competition. His perspective was always wise and grounded on an immense spectrum of musical and guitar wisdom. We honor his life and work which made such a huge difference in the lives of so many.

Finally, Boston Guitar Fest salutes Fred Draper, an institution in the guitar world in the New York City area. I often saw Fred especially following concerts in New York. He was always a great friend, a respected colleague and one of those indispensable people whose very presence always gave warmth, hope and enlightenment. We mourn his passing and honor his life of service to the art of music as expressed through the classical guitar.