"I had the pleasure recently to attend two of Michael Nigro's Kansas City concerts. He played a fabulous program of engaging South American repertoire. Nigro has a wonderful sound, very powerful and a very pleasing stage presentation. I'm looking forward to hearing him again in the near future."Douglas Niedt, University of Kansas
"Michael performed a beautiful concert. The combination of his great tone, well developed technique and expressive interpretations provided a most enjoyable afternoon event. His first half was heavily weighted with Argentine music; pieces by Abel Carlevaro, Eduardo Falú, Máximo Pujol and José Luis Merlín. The high point was a stunningly beautiful presentation of Jorge Cardoso’s famous Milonga.
The second half began with the entire El Decameron Negro by Leo Brouwer, then more Pujol and Merlin pieces. At the end of this wonderful concert, as Michael received a standing ovation, his young toddler son ran up to join his father, clapping excitedly with the audience - priceless!"
Jim Bosse-Colorado Springs Guitar Society
"Nigro is an excellent guitarist, drawing a multitude of tone colors from his instrument and displaying great technical dexterity. He has a wide dynamic range, a very pretty sound, and an ability to vary his articulation for expressive purposes. Guitarists have to be able to play melody and accompaniment at the same time, while differentiating the two, and also provide their own percussive effects. All of these tasks Nigro performed with ease and a sense of style."
Jim Ruggirello, Long Beach Gazzette
“Michael Nigro’s recent concert was a delightful experience for students and community members alike. Not only did he combine remarkable technique with a warm and relaxed stage presence, but the audience was treated with an opportunity to connect with a different culture in a truly enriching way.”
Dr. Glenn Eernisse, Chair, Division of Music, Brewton-Parker College
"Nigro had a nice program of audience-pleasing repertoire without leaning entirely on hackneyed works. His clear, focused tone and spritely but muscular phrasing made for a very enjoyable evening...he did well!"
David Ferrara, Vice-President, Dayton Classical Guitar Society
"Following a rousing applause, Nigro returned for an encore and performed "Colibri" ('hummingbird') from composer Julio Sagreras, who describes the work as the guitarist's response to "Flight of the Bumblebee." Nigro adequately handled the piece's extreme difficulty and it was a further testament to his accomplishments as a guitarist. Nigro's performance was very dynamic and contained varying rhythms, moods and tones to form a colorful musical palette. His ability to play both energetically and deliberately is certainly his forte, and in an interview following his performance Nigro confirmed that the warm sound and varied repertoire of the guitar is what initially attracted him to the instrument at the age of twelve. Still in the early stages of his career, Nigro gave the audience at Olin a wonderful performance which was merely an indication of his talents in the years to come."
Bates College in Lewiston, Maine 2006
"A gracious and accomplished guitarist..."
Joe Thompson, Jefferson Classical Guitar Society
I had the feeling that each composer would have stood and shouted “Bravo! That is how I wrote it to be played!” The guitar sang, chirped, floated, stamped its feet, wailed, laughed and more under his fingers! Outstanding concert!
Mark Pendleton, Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, Las Cruces, New Mexico
"In July, Michael Nigro's northwest performance tour took him to Portland, Oregon where he performed for the Portland Guitar Society on July 11 and at Marylhurst University on July 17. Mr. Nigro's Argentine program was delightfully engaging and entertaining. The works on the program represented an interesting compositional expression of traditional Argentine dance elements, most notable the tango and the malambo. The variety of tonal and percussive effects, which serve to imitate the sounds of Argentine folk instruments, added to the energy and authenticity of the program. Michael's expressive and lyrical shaping of the melodic line spoke intimately and directly to his audience. The musical high points of the program were the two works by Maximo Diego Pujol: Suite del Plata No.1 and Elegia por la Muerte de un Tanguero."
Peter Zisa, The Portland Guitar Society Quarterly
"Michael Nigro is a very accomplished guitarist."
Ventura County Classical Guitar Society
"His program was fresh, passionate, and wonderfully executed. For several of us, Michael Nigro's salon recital was truly one of the most enjoyable concerts in recent memory."
Mark Bisesi, Bloomington Classical Guitar Society
"On Thursday, July 7, 2005 Michael Nigro shared his expert interpretations of Argentine classical guitar pieces at the Maple Valley Library in Maple Valley, Washington. Works by composers such as Jorge Cardoso, Abel Fleury and Astor Piazzolla were perfomed with sensitivity and wit. A small but enthusiastic audience enjoyed Michael's anecdotes about each piece and deeply appreciated the opportunity to hear some lesser-known pieces in their own community. Bravo, Michael Nigro!"
Fred Gurney, Maple Valley Library, Washington
"It was a pleasure working with Michael Nigro! He is extremely professional and very talented. He performed to a packed house on a Sunday afternoon, much to the delight of my patrons and staff!" Johnson County Library, Kansas
"The audience was enthralled by Mr. Nigro's passionate performance of South American guitar pieces at San Diego Public Library in February 2008. He displayed expert guitar techique, especially in the sensitive dynamics, crisp rhythms, and rich palettes of color that he brought to his playing. He also had a nice, easy rapport with the audience, to whom he directed interesting comments about the music throughout the concert. A terrifically satisfying event all around!"
Vic Cardell, San Diego Public Library
Reviews of Homage to Piazzolla CD
"Guitar virtuoso Michael Anthony Nigro's survey of Argentinean guitar works, most of them never before recorded, covers a wide spectrum of pieces from folk ballads and dances to sophisticated compositions by Piazzolla."
Fred Maroth, Music and Arts
"Its a pleasant collection of spiky Argentine rhythms interspersed with soulful milongas. Nigro has a big sound, a smooth tone, and sure-footed interpretive instincts. The production is clean and the sound clear...The notes include brief biographies of the composers, many of whom will be unfamiliar to most listeners. Nigro is to be commended for recording their music."
American Record Guide Sept/Oct. 2005
"Michael Anthony Nigro as a soloist proves himself to be a decent enough player and has chosen an interesting, entertaining program containing much rhythmic variety and some good tunes, all of which should charm aficionados of South American music. Of special attraction are the two modest pieces taken from 'Tres Estudios' by Adolfo Luna, which are based on typical motifs and dances from Argentine folk music. Overall this is a most pleasurable program."
Classical Guitar December 2005
Reviews of Guitar Sudamericana CD
Today, your CD arrived. I ordered it less than a week ago via bol.com. As I am mailing you now, I am listening to it and I already love it!
Your repertoire is just my kind of music: M.D. Pujol, Cardoso, Merlin, Villa-Lobos. Can't get enough of them. I hope that your CD will further your career. At least, you have one fan in The Netherlands and I hope, more will follow.
Erik Zurcher -The Hague, The Netherlands
"Michael performed a beautiful concert. The combination of his great tone, well developed technique and expressive interpretations provided a most enjoyable afternoon event. His first half was heavily weighted with Argentine music; pieces by Abel Carlevaro, Eduardo Falú, Máximo Pujol and José Luis Merlín. The high point was a stunningly beautiful presentation of Jorge Cardoso’s famous Milonga.
The second half began with the entire El Decameron Negro by Leo Brouwer, then more Pujol and Merlin pieces. At the end of this wonderful concert, as Michael received a standing ovation, his young toddler son ran up to join his father, clapping excitedly with the audience - priceless!"
Jim Bosse-Colorado Springs Guitar Society
"Nigro is an excellent guitarist, drawing a multitude of tone colors from his instrument and displaying great technical dexterity. He has a wide dynamic range, a very pretty sound, and an ability to vary his articulation for expressive purposes. Guitarists have to be able to play melody and accompaniment at the same time, while differentiating the two, and also provide their own percussive effects. All of these tasks Nigro performed with ease and a sense of style."
Jim Ruggirello, Long Beach Gazzette
“Michael Nigro’s recent concert was a delightful experience for students and community members alike. Not only did he combine remarkable technique with a warm and relaxed stage presence, but the audience was treated with an opportunity to connect with a different culture in a truly enriching way.”
Dr. Glenn Eernisse, Chair, Division of Music, Brewton-Parker College
"Nigro had a nice program of audience-pleasing repertoire without leaning entirely on hackneyed works. His clear, focused tone and spritely but muscular phrasing made for a very enjoyable evening...he did well!"
David Ferrara, Vice-President, Dayton Classical Guitar Society
"Following a rousing applause, Nigro returned for an encore and performed "Colibri" ('hummingbird') from composer Julio Sagreras, who describes the work as the guitarist's response to "Flight of the Bumblebee." Nigro adequately handled the piece's extreme difficulty and it was a further testament to his accomplishments as a guitarist. Nigro's performance was very dynamic and contained varying rhythms, moods and tones to form a colorful musical palette. His ability to play both energetically and deliberately is certainly his forte, and in an interview following his performance Nigro confirmed that the warm sound and varied repertoire of the guitar is what initially attracted him to the instrument at the age of twelve. Still in the early stages of his career, Nigro gave the audience at Olin a wonderful performance which was merely an indication of his talents in the years to come."
Bates College in Lewiston, Maine 2006
"A gracious and accomplished guitarist..."
Joe Thompson, Jefferson Classical Guitar Society
I had the feeling that each composer would have stood and shouted “Bravo! That is how I wrote it to be played!” The guitar sang, chirped, floated, stamped its feet, wailed, laughed and more under his fingers! Outstanding concert!
Mark Pendleton, Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, Las Cruces, New Mexico
"In July, Michael Nigro's northwest performance tour took him to Portland, Oregon where he performed for the Portland Guitar Society on July 11 and at Marylhurst University on July 17. Mr. Nigro's Argentine program was delightfully engaging and entertaining. The works on the program represented an interesting compositional expression of traditional Argentine dance elements, most notable the tango and the malambo. The variety of tonal and percussive effects, which serve to imitate the sounds of Argentine folk instruments, added to the energy and authenticity of the program. Michael's expressive and lyrical shaping of the melodic line spoke intimately and directly to his audience. The musical high points of the program were the two works by Maximo Diego Pujol: Suite del Plata No.1 and Elegia por la Muerte de un Tanguero."
Peter Zisa, The Portland Guitar Society Quarterly
"Michael Nigro is a very accomplished guitarist."
Ventura County Classical Guitar Society
"His program was fresh, passionate, and wonderfully executed. For several of us, Michael Nigro's salon recital was truly one of the most enjoyable concerts in recent memory."
Mark Bisesi, Bloomington Classical Guitar Society
"On Thursday, July 7, 2005 Michael Nigro shared his expert interpretations of Argentine classical guitar pieces at the Maple Valley Library in Maple Valley, Washington. Works by composers such as Jorge Cardoso, Abel Fleury and Astor Piazzolla were perfomed with sensitivity and wit. A small but enthusiastic audience enjoyed Michael's anecdotes about each piece and deeply appreciated the opportunity to hear some lesser-known pieces in their own community. Bravo, Michael Nigro!"
Fred Gurney, Maple Valley Library, Washington
"It was a pleasure working with Michael Nigro! He is extremely professional and very talented. He performed to a packed house on a Sunday afternoon, much to the delight of my patrons and staff!" Johnson County Library, Kansas
"The audience was enthralled by Mr. Nigro's passionate performance of South American guitar pieces at San Diego Public Library in February 2008. He displayed expert guitar techique, especially in the sensitive dynamics, crisp rhythms, and rich palettes of color that he brought to his playing. He also had a nice, easy rapport with the audience, to whom he directed interesting comments about the music throughout the concert. A terrifically satisfying event all around!"
Vic Cardell, San Diego Public Library
Reviews of Homage to Piazzolla CD
"Guitar virtuoso Michael Anthony Nigro's survey of Argentinean guitar works, most of them never before recorded, covers a wide spectrum of pieces from folk ballads and dances to sophisticated compositions by Piazzolla."
Fred Maroth, Music and Arts
"Its a pleasant collection of spiky Argentine rhythms interspersed with soulful milongas. Nigro has a big sound, a smooth tone, and sure-footed interpretive instincts. The production is clean and the sound clear...The notes include brief biographies of the composers, many of whom will be unfamiliar to most listeners. Nigro is to be commended for recording their music."
American Record Guide Sept/Oct. 2005
"Michael Anthony Nigro as a soloist proves himself to be a decent enough player and has chosen an interesting, entertaining program containing much rhythmic variety and some good tunes, all of which should charm aficionados of South American music. Of special attraction are the two modest pieces taken from 'Tres Estudios' by Adolfo Luna, which are based on typical motifs and dances from Argentine folk music. Overall this is a most pleasurable program."
Classical Guitar December 2005
Reviews of Guitar Sudamericana CD
Today, your CD arrived. I ordered it less than a week ago via bol.com. As I am mailing you now, I am listening to it and I already love it!
Your repertoire is just my kind of music: M.D. Pujol, Cardoso, Merlin, Villa-Lobos. Can't get enough of them. I hope that your CD will further your career. At least, you have one fan in The Netherlands and I hope, more will follow.
Erik Zurcher -The Hague, The Netherlands