Perfecto De Castro, guitarist

Passion and precision meet when Perfecto De Castro
performs on the laudarra ten-string guitar.
Leaving behind the life of a lead guitar rock-star, with
two platinum records, and a Guitarist of the Year award,
De Castro, found the love of his musical life in the
laudarra’s technical challenge and ability to express
emotion.
First introduced in 1964, the laudarra is technically more
demanding than the traditional six-stringed guitar, has
an expanded musical range, is more sonorous, and
allows pieces to be played in the original key of many
classical composers.
The first laudarra master, Narciso Yepes performed with
a precise staccato-like sound. De Castro builds on Yepes
technical brilliance with a crisp, clear sound while also
conveying incredible feeling—when he performs, the
music lives, breathes, and has soul.
As described by the Philippine Star “In the hands of Perf
De Castro, a 10-string classical guitar becomes a more
potent medium of artistry and self-expression — a virtual
orchestra that reverberates with thunderous bass lines,
complex chordal clusters, silky sweet upper-register
harmonies and tons of natural harmonics and overtones.”
At the core of De Castro’s performing repertoire, lies an
appealing blend of east and west: the simplistic beauty
of indigenous ethnic melodies, rhythmically complex folk
dances, Spanish-flavored art songs, Bach, Vivaldi,
Dvorak, and a contemporary fusion of them all. His
selection, reworking, and interpretation of classics,
including many timeless guitar pieces, create a lush
tapestry enrapturing listeners. John Abrams writes, “His
last CD Journey through 10 Strings made you feel like
you were sitting right in front of the performer. Perfecto’s
latest recording makes you feel like you're holding the
guitar.”
When Perfecto is not touring, he resides with his family
in Los Angeles, where he teaches next generation
guitarists and continues to challenge himself as he
expands his repertoire with new musical ventures.

Technical rider:

Hall Requirements
All fans and blowers should be off during the performance Please adjust so that the
room temperature will be approximately 65 to 75° during the performance.

Stage Requirements
One armless chair approximately 18-19" high.

Lighting
A single wide spot, with a warm gel (yellow or pink) flooding the 8'by 6' area would be preferable, to help support the intimate setting of the guitar.

Sound
For venues requiring amplification; a small diaphragm condenser microphone (eg. AKG C480, Neumann KM184 or similar) mounted on a short mic stand with a telescoping boom arm routed to the house PA. Must soundcheck at least 90mins prior to concert time

Merchandise table
24” x 48” rectangular table placed in a conspicuous area in the venue to display CDs, posters, postcards and other artist merchandise.