We're delighted to welcome back Orlando Dibelo, the Argentine maestro of the Bandoneon, to play in concert with his protégée, Ruth Rozelaar plus some guest musicians.
Orlando has now visited Ashburton several times. It's always an absolute joy to watch and hear him play – very few musicians are as at one with their instrument as he is, and his bandoneon makes a truly gorgeous sound. As his eyes twinkle with the joy of making this music with Ruth – and others, it's impossible not to be infected by it. This performance is for a listening audience, though there will be room for some dancers too.

After the concert at 4pm, Ruth will be leading a beginners' Tango dance workshop in the studio upstairs. To book for this, please contact ruth.rozelaar@gmail.com

Orlando Dibelo is considered one of the most important and influential Argentine bandoneonists of his generation. He began studying bandoneon at the age of nine with Eduardo Carpini in Buenos Aires. The teachers Carlos García and Calisto Sallago completed his musical training. As a young man, he performed with Roberto Firpo Jr. with the Cuarteto de Tango de la Vieja Guardia. He also triumphed in the competition “Nace una estrella” of the Argentine television channel 13 with the famous bandoneonist Juan José Mossalini, with whom he played “Adios Nonino” in a bandoneon duet. Astor Piazzolla himself wrote a glowing review of their performance of his famous tango, congratulating the young artists.

Throughout his extensive career, he has been prolific as an international tango performer. In Argentina, he tours both as a soloist and as a member of the prestigious José Basso Orchestra. He has performed with tango singers such as Amelita Baltar, María Graña, Jorge Casal, Chiqui Pereyra, Silvia del Rio, Alberto Podestá, Alfredo Beluzzi and Héctor de Rosas, and has been a regular guest on Argentine television channels 7, 9 and 11 in Buenos Aires.

In 2001 he moved to Spain, where he performed with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and was invited to join tango groups such as Rayuela Tango, Ibertango and Art Tango Ensemble, among others. He has performed frequently in music festivals in Spain as well as in Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Estonia. From 2003 to 2008 he was the musical director of the prestigious National Tango Festival in the city of Alcantarilla, Murcia. He was the founder and musical director of the tango quintet “Fueye”.

He has made numerous recordings, interpreting both tango and popular Argentine music. Artists of the stature of Armando Manzanero and El Cabrero have requested his collaboration on their recordings. He was recently awarded the Cavaion d’Oro prize in Italy, in recognition of his professional career and his contribution to the international diffusion of tango. His musical career appears in the book “El Tango y sus protagonistas”, written by Héctor Romay.

Orlando Dibelo combines performances with teaching, being invited to give master classes in workshops dedicated to tango.

Ruth Rozelaar has undergone a self-directed and intensive 5 year long period of study, devoting 3 hours per day to Bandoneon practice, with the focus on playing A La Parrilla, for dancing. In January 2023, she began studying with Maestro Dibelo. She writes:
“I am honoured to be touring with such a grand maestro. Playing alongside him, diving deep into the tunes that I know so well from dancing, is an indescribably delicious experience. Just like dancers, we connect with each other through the music – every time it is new and exquisitely alive.”

Also appearing will be local musicians Katina Laoutaris - violin, John Donnelly - double-bass and Tom Breeze - piano.


Ashburton Arts Centre
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Level access from street – please contact us on boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk if a wheelchair space is needed, or if you have any other special requirements.