Apostle of intimate guitar

By HEATH LEES

For Mario Carreira, the guitar is not so much an instrument, more a way of life. Just off the plane from Portugal, where he gives concerts and teaches in the conservatorium of the city of Porto, he promptly shoots down any suggestion that the guitar is only important to flamenco dancers and rock stars.

"The repertoire for the classical guitar is huge," he says firmly, "not just in solo settings, but with other instruments, too. Its special beauty of sound lets it mix perfectly with voices and strings."

It's as a chamber-music player that this quietly spoken, dedicated apostle of the guitar has arrived in Auckland, through the persistent advocacy of Margaret Cooke, cellist with the Early Music Group Extempore. Carreira and Extempore will offer an unusual programme on Sunday, April 29, in the elegant space of Hopetoun Alpha, with quartets and quintets by Schubert, Mozart, Boccherini and others - all featuring the guitar as a leading member of the group. On the same Sunday afternoon there will be a master-class and lecture at the University of Auckland.

Carreira admits that his own reputation is sometimes overshadowed by the star performer travelling with him - his guitar - made some 200 years ago in Paris. Carreira's guitar is smaller and lighter than you would imagine, yet the pearl-like sound carries surprisingly well, and seems to stay "live" for longer. It's the maple wood, he says.

"Beautifully resonant, and used whenever possible for the violins of the time. And of course there's the superb craftsmanship."

"Melancholy" and "intimacy" are the two words that keep reappearing in Carreira's vocabulary.

"Throughout history, the guitar has been the favourite instrument for serenades. It's easily carried to a lover's window, and sounds so romantic and melancholy. It makes an intimate bond with the listener."