Église Saint‐Jacques‐le‐Majeur de Nice: Spanish Guitar & Bach Toccata

About the Event

In the beautiful historic center of Nice, the Church of Saint‐Jacques‐le‐Majeur (Église du Gesù) provides a magnificent setting for an exceptional concert celebrating highlights from 300 years of Spanish guitar music. The program journeys through centuries of musical history, blending the expressive colors of the guitar with the grandeur of the organ. It features Bach’s iconic Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and the Fantasia on Themes from Verdi’s La Traviata. Spanish masterpieces such as Gaspar Sanz’s Canarios, Francisco Tárrega’s Variations on a Theme from La Traviata, and Isaac Albéniz’s evocative Asturias showcase the rich traditions and virtuosity of the Spanish guitar. Works by Agustín Barrios Mangoré and Antonio Vivaldi add lyrical depth and brilliant contrast.

Cristina Galietto – Guitar
Born in 2000 in Naples, Cristina Galietto began studying guitar at the age of seven. Recognized early for her exceptional talent, she quickly started competing internationally, earning top prizes at major guitar competitions across Europe. Among her most notable achievements are victories at the prestigious Eurostrings Guitar Competition 2021 — one of the few competitions worldwide to award both a substantial cash prize and an international concert tour across three continents — as well as the “Golden Guitar” award at the 28th International Guitar Convention in Milan in 2021.

Cristina has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. She has also been invited to perform at numerous international guitar festivals across Europe and the U.S., where her artistry and musical maturity have earned widespread acclaim. Remarkably, she has been invited as one of the youngest guitar professors to give masterclasses in several American cities, including New York City and Los Angeles.

Cristina Galietto’s debut CD, Avant l’Aube, released by Timespan Recordings at the end of 2020, was warmly received by classical guitar audiences and praised for its artistry, elegance, and refined interpretation.


Luc Ragomaharisoa – Organ
Organist Luc Ragomaharisoa is one of the most outstanding musicians of his generation. With a distinctive technique and a deep connection to music, he brings the organ to life in all its splendor and diversity.