GUITARS INTERNATIONAL

"Their Bay Area debut . . . revealed an ensemble notable for sensitive musicianship, virtousic panache, and stylish performances" San Francisco Classical Voice

Sample Video 1

Sample Video 3

Spanish guitarist, Susana Prieto, and Greek guitarist, Alexis Muzurakis, made their debut as the Duo Melis in 1999 at the International Guitar Festival of Volos (Greece). Duo Melis have performed in such prestigious halls as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Megaron in Athens and Merkin Concert Hall in New York. They have been invited to play concerts at international guitar festivals in Europe and America. Since 2006 they have taught at the Conservatoire National de Region de Strasbourg in France. To purchase Duo Melis' Recital C.D., visit CD Baby.

Susana and Alexis have won numerous prizes, both individually and as a duo. In 1999 they were awarded the first prize at the International Guitar Duo Competition of Frechen (Germany). The next year they won the prestigious Guitar Duo Competition of Montelimar (France) as well as the XXI International Guitar Duo Competition Mauro Giuliani (Italy). In 2001 they won the Duo/Ensemble prize at the Chamber Music Competition of Leipzig (Germany) and were winners at the International Guitar Duo Competition of Paris (France). In 2003 they recorded their first CD after winning the recording prize, Citta di Verona, at the International Chamber Music Competition, Gaetano Zinetti (Italy). In 2005 they successfully auditioned for the Yehudi Menuhin Society's Live Music Now.

Their repertory extends from the Baroque period to the music of Piazzolla and Ginastera. One of the areas of study to which they have devoted much time and research is 19th century performance practice. As a result, in addition to the Gernot Wagner double top concert guitars on which they perform regularly, they use period instruments when performing XIX century repertory. Complimenting their wide range of solo programs, Duo Melis performs concertos for two guitars and orchestra by J. Rodrigo and A. Vivaldi. They have collaborated with the Berliner Symphoniker, the Neubrandenburger Philharmonie, the Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie, the Radio Orchestra of Bucharest and the National Orchestra of Thessaloniki conducted by Leo Brouwer.

Susana Prieto's earliest guitar studies were in Spain, Alexis Muzurakis' in Greece. Later they pursued postgraduate studies as a duo and as soloists at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague (Holland), at the High Conservatory Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in Leipzig (Germany) and at the High Conservatory Hanns Eisler in Berlin (Germany).