The evening of Lorenzo Micheli’s Concert on Oct. 15, 2024 in the Carlson Theatre of Bellevue College consisted of multiple compositions from a variety of classical musicians like Debussy, Mozart, and so forth. Apart from fellow Bellevue College students, fellow musicians and fans of Micheli gathered to appreciate the art that is classical music through his performances.
Bellevue College hosted a show that honored the artist using a simple stool and microphone. It did not require theatrics to gather the audience’s attention towards Micheli. With the room waiting in anticipation, Professor Naeim Rahmani of the Music Department’s Guitar Program, thanked the number of people who attended the concert, highlighting that the current show hosted the most number of students compared to previous concerts. He went on to express his appreciation for classical music and how concerts such as this were beyond heartwarming.
“There is some hope with what we are doing here for the arts.” – Professor Rahmani, Bellevue College Music Department Faculty
Micheli’s presence was immediately noticed the second he approached center stage. The coolness of the auditorium became flustered when tuning his guitar alone and when he began his performance, the audience erupted in a wave of applause.
His first section was XII. No Hubo Remedio, XV. Porque no fue sensible, and XIII. Quien mas rendido of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Caprichos de Goya op.195, a piece that was the subject of relationships and tragedies of life. It presented itself as flirtatious and playful before it intensified into a death-like tone that jumped between rhythms. The audience was in awe over the opening, which quickly set the dramatic, yet warm spirit of the show.
“Hearing [Micheli] play is such a phenomenal opportunity for musicians. It was a pleasure hearing such outstanding musician-ship.” – Danielle Reutter-Harrah, Classical Singer
Photographed by Author
Micheli presented humility throughout his performance, acknowledging the musicians and cultures that composed each piece. Even without words, the passion he has for music beyond playing the classical guitar was heard through his voice when he provided short but sweet teaching moments of the history of the pieces he played.
By far, the most memorable performance in the show was S’accabadora, a piece based on the Sardinian Folklore of The Woman of Death (La Accabadora), who was said to use a hammer or cudgel to euthanize the sick and diseased. The audience fell in silence with the occasional grueling as Micheli continued to explain the heartbreaking yet rich lore that birthed the piece of such raw intensity.
Captivatingly intense is the only description suitable when watching Micheli play the classical guitar as though it were an extension of not only his body but his mind as well. His body was fluid with a tap of his foot when entering the percussive phases of the music.
“Rarely does music elicit so much magic and awe as a virtuoso like Lorenzo can do. Very moving concert.” – Aaron Haas, Classical Guitarist and Former Student of Lorenzo Micheli During 2011-2013 in Italy, Milan
After the concert, a short interview was held with Micheli (LM in the transcription) by a reporter from The Watchdog (TW in the transcription).
[TW]: (Question 1) What inspired you to pursue music?
[LM]: Well- It’s difficult to say. I started when I was a kid. On my own, I picked up my father’s guitar. My father wasn’t playing anymore […] so the guitar was there, hanging from the wall, and I- The moment I touched it- I thought it was a wonderful thing. Somehow, it became a part of myself very-very soon, and I couldn’t spend my days without a guitar.
[TW]: (Question 2) Of all the musical instruments that you have taken an interest in, why the classical guitar?
[LM]: Because of her- or its- voice and colors. I also like the fact there is a lot of physical contact. When you pluck the strings, you can feel the strings in your fingertips. Somehow, it becomes easy to use the instrument as a medium to express your voice. I think with the tone and color of the guitar, it is the one that made me choose the classical guitar.
[TW]: (Question 3) Do you have any advice for BC Students pursuing their passion and interest in music?
[LM]: The advice would be to listen to as much music as they can because music is an incredible treasure that will stay with them for their entire lives, and so the older I get, the older I realize, music is not only what I do for my work. It is really a very important part of my soul and my spirit. I hope that the younger generations of players, even before focusing on practice, realize what an incredible gift it is to make music and to listen to music.
Micheli was graceful in honoring Bellevue College and his current time in the United States as he tours cities for performances. The evening, the show, and the performance were unforgettable.
Bellevue College’s Guitar Series is special, according to Professor Rahmani, “What makes this series special is that no other college or university in Washington offers a dedicated guitar series like ours. My goal is to expose our students to something truly unique, giving them the chance to learn from top artists and interact with them directly.”
The community continues to look forward to performances and shows from a variety of artists with the convenience of watching them in Carlson Theatre!
