From Bellas Artes to Tenerife and the U.S.: A Remarkable 30 Days
Less than a month after his memorable performance at Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional, Spanish guitarist Rafael Aguirre Miñarro continues to establish an international career marked by excellence, virtuosity, and a demanding artistic schedule that takes him from Mexico to Spain, the U.S., and Germany in just a few weeks.
Reflections on Connecting with Mexican Audiences
Following his debut at the country’s premier cultural venue, Aguirre reflects on his deep connection with Mexican audiences:
“It has been a dream come true, allowing me to connect more directly and intimately with the Mexican public after living here for a year. The reception has been fantastic, and it will undoubtedly boost my career in this country and others,” he shared.
Between Mexico and the U.S.: Distinct Audiences, Shared Enthusiasm
After his Bellas Artes performance, Aguirre traveled to Baltimore to perform with the prestigious Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
He notes the difference between the two audiences: “The audience in Baltimore is less youthful but very understanding and loyal to their orchestras. In Mexico, I was surprised by the youth in venues like UNAM; seeing 300 young people aged 15 to 30 is not common everywhere,” he commented.
Aguirre hopes his presence with this top-tier orchestra will open doors for future debuts, including a long-awaited performance with the New York Philharmonic.
Return to Tenerife: A Massive Outdoor Concert in Front of 11,000 People
This month, Aguirre returned to Tenerife for one of the most crowded moments of his career, performing outdoors in front of 11,000 people at the iconic Auditorio de Tenerife by Santiago Calatrava.
He was directed by one of the world’s most renowned Spanish conductors, Juanjo Mena, former director of the BBC Philharmonic and one of the few Spaniards to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic.
“Working with a director of that caliber excites me greatly. Staying on the circuit of Spanish orchestras is also crucial; it’s a robust ecosystem where the world’s best musicians participate,” Aguirre stated.
Germany 2025: Returning to the Land That Shaped His Formation
The year concludes with a U.S. tour starting in Baltimore and ending on November 15 in Tucson, Arizona, followed by a Germany tour, where the guitarist spent a pivotal decade of his youth and has given numerous concerts.
He will perform for the first time a work by British composer Joby Talbot, known for his cinematic style:
“It’s a very spectacular piece; when I play it, I feel like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. I’m curious to see how the refined German audience, so passionate about music, will react,” he said.
Aguirre will perform in cities with rich musical traditions like Kaiserslautern, Mannheim (Maguncia), and Mainz.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Mexico, London, and a Debut in São Paulo
Aguirre hints that he will return to Mexico City to prepare for a significant engagement in London.
He will also premiere a new concerto for guitar and orchestra with the Orquesta del Estado de São Paulo, considered Latin America’s most prominent orchestra.
“Projects are multiplying, but my mission remains the same: to promote the guitar and its repertoire, a versatile instrument present in so many cultures. In Mexico, I aim to continue connecting with diverse audiences,” he expressed.
About Rafael Aguirre and His Stay in Mexico City
In this new phase, the renowned musician seeks new challenges, wishing to expand his career in Mexico and share his music with more diverse audiences.
Rafael Aguirre is one of the most sought-after guitarists internationally. He was named Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London (ARAM) and received the National “Cultura Viva” Award in Madrid.
He has performed in 46 countries, gracing prestigious venues worldwide like New York’s Carnegie Hall (where he has performed four times), Madrid’s Teatro Real, and Vienna’s Konzerthaus, with renowned orchestras such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, South Korea’s KBS National Television Orchestra, São Paulo State Orchestra (OSESP), Lyon National Orchestra, and the Spanish National Orchestra, among others.
After living in significant European cities like London, Berlin, and Madrid, Aguirre decided to settle in Mexico City. He has strong ties to Mexico, having recently debuted at the Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato and marrying his Mexican wife in the Riviera Maya a few months ago.
Aguirre is passionate about Mexican gastronomy and culture, seeing immense potential in a country that loves the guitar and has treated him with warmth and hospitality.
His career has also flourished in the U.S., with multiple upcoming projects, as well as concerts in other parts of the Americas, including Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. Mexico’s strategic geographical location (being a neighbor to the U.S. and Latin America) has motivated this Spanish musician to settle in Mexico, eager to share his art with the Mexican public.
“I have been enamored with Mexican and Latin American music since childhood. I remember playing the music of Manuel M. Ponce, Agustín Lara, and Brazilian, Paraguayan, Argentine, Cuban music, among others. Never forgetting Spanish music, present in my repertoire in its classical and flamenco forms. Having been born in Málaga (Andalusia), I have always been in contact with flamenco and the guitar, the land where this music and instrument originate,” he shared.
Aguirre’s new chapter in Mexico promises to be exciting as he aims to establish himself with his adopted country’s public while maintaining strong ties to his native Spain.
In Spain, he has various professional commitments that will keep him traveling frequently to Europe. Aguirre insists he cannot stay away from Spain for too long, as he deeply loves his homeland.
