Duo Melis

Duo Melis: A World-Renowned Classical Guitar Duo

Duo Melis, formed by Spanish guitarist Susana Prieto and Greek guitarist Alexis Muzurakis, has established itself as one of the most significant guitar duos on the contemporary classical music scene. Since their debut in 1999 at the International Guitar Festival of Volos in Greece, the duo has captivated audiences worldwide with their intense emotional performances, technical brilliance, and ensemble unity.

Prestigious Performances and Global Recognition

Duo Melis has performed in some of the most prestigious concert venues globally, including the Berlin Philharmonie, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Megaron in Athens, and Merkin Concert Hall in New York. Their appearances are highly sought after at international guitar festivals and in major concert series across Europe, America, and Asia.

Competition Success and Awards

The duo’s exceptional talent has garnered them numerous awards. In 1999, they won first prize at the International Guitar Duo Competition of Frechen, Germany. In subsequent years, they achieved significant victories at the Montélimar Guitar Duo Competition in France and the Mauro Giuliani International Guitar Duo Competition in Italy. In 2001, they earned the Duo/Ensemble prize at the Chamber Music Competition of Leipzig, and in 2003, they recorded their first CD after winning the Città di Verona recording prize at the Gaetano Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition.

Their most recent album, released in 2013, has been met with great enthusiasm by guitar aficionados. In 2005, Duo Melis was selected to perform for the Yehudi Menuhin Society Live Music Now, further enhancing their international reputation.

Collaborations and Repertoire

Duo Melis has collaborated with prominent orchestras, such as the Berliner Symphoniker, the Neubrandenburger Philharmonie, and the Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie. They have performed under the direction of celebrated conductors like Leo Brouwer. Their repertoire ranges from Baroque music to contemporary compositions, including works by Astor Piazzolla, Alberto Ginastera, and Leo Brouwer. The duo is also known for their transcriptions and performances of concertos for two guitars and orchestra by Rodrigo, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Roland Dyens, Leo Brouwer, and Vivaldi. A highlight of their collaboration includes a new concerto by Marek Pasieczny, specifically dedicated to Duo Melis.

International Appearances and Teaching

Duo Melis continues to make significant international appearances, including performances at major guitar festivals across Asia, North America, and Europe. Their recent tours have taken them to countries such as South Korea, China, and Japan, where they played at events like the Daejeon International Guitar Festival and the Changsha International Guitar Festival. In North America, they have graced festivals such as the GFA convention in Denver, performed in major cities like Boston, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Houston, and returned to Europe for recitals in Germany, Italy, France, and beyond.

After their 2018 performance at the Changsha International Guitar Festival, renowned guitarist Gerald Garcia described their playing as, “a virtuoso performance by two artists at the top of their game. At times their phrasing was passionate and breathless, at others languid and flowing.”

Educational Contributions

In addition to their busy performance schedule, Susana Prieto and Alexis Muzurakis are dedicated music educators. Since 2006, they have been professors at the Superior Academy of Music in Strasbourg, France, where they teach the next generation of guitarists while maintaining their status as one of the top performing duos in the world.