Francisco Luís
Francisco Luís: Portuguese Guitar Virtuoso
Francisco Luís is one of the most acclaimed Portuguese guitarists of his generation, with over 40 international prizes to his name. Born in Caldas da Rainha on July 22, 1998, Francisco began his musical journey at the age of 10, studying at the Conservatory of Caldas da Rainha under Professor Luís Roldão.
Early Education and Musical Development
After five years, Francisco was accepted into the prestigious Music School of the National Conservatory in Lisbon, where he studied under Eurico Pereira. He received a well-rounded education that included chamber music with Júlio Guerreiro and Paulo Amorim, and basso continuo studies with Helena Raposo. He also gained expertise in music theory, analysis, and compositional techniques under the guidance of composers Daniel Schvetz and Eurico Carrapatoso.
In 2015, Francisco’s talent was on full display when he performed Joaquín Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” with the National Conservatory’s Symphonic Orchestra at the Cinema/Teatro São Jorge in Lisbon.
Higher Education and Artistic Growth
Following his studies in Lisbon, Francisco pursued his bachelor’s degree at the Maastricht Conservatorium with Carlo Marchione, where he also received technical guidance from Roman Krejci. Graduating with distinction, he continued his musical training at the Royal Conservatory in Den Haag, completing his master’s degree under the tutelage of the renowned Prof. Zoran Dukic.
Performances and International Recognition
Francisco Luís has performed in over 10 countries, gracing renowned venues such as the Musikverein in Vienna, Casa da Música in Porto, Palácio da Ajuda in Lisbon, and the Parkstad Limburg Theaters in Heerlen. He has garnered an impressive array of 20 first prizes at prestigious international competitions, including the Iserlohn International Guitar Festival, Baltic International Guitar Festival, Florida Guitar Foundation, Aalborg International Guitar Festival, and the Albania International Guitar Festival. Most recently, he won 2nd prize (with 1st not awarded) at the prestigious Koblenz International Guitar Competition (Hubert Käppel).
EuroStrings and Recent Projects
In 2020, Francisco became the first Portuguese guitarist selected for the EuroStrings program, a distinguished platform for young guitarists. As part of the program, he toured Europe, performing in solo concerts, giving masterclasses, and engaging in numerous activities at key classical guitar festivals.
Francisco has also made several professional recordings in renowned studios such as Siccas Guitars in Karlsruhe, Germany. He is an official artist for the Resonant Connections Media channel in the Netherlands, where he has recorded solo pieces and his own arrangements, including works by Fauré and Schubert, as part of The Hague Guitar Duo.
Artistic Vision and Legacy
Francisco’s performing skills and deep musical interpretations continue to impress international audiences. His wide-ranging repertoire spans classical improvisation, intricate arrangements, and his own compositions. The celebrated Italian guitarist Carlo Marchione praised him for his natural musicality, remarking, “Francisco embodies all the qualities expected of a great musician, not least the ability, impossible to learn, to perform his music with a touching sense of inevitability and naturalness.”
