Michael James Bovo

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Michael James Bovo was born in Sussex, England on the 20th December 1960. He was raised in the United Kingdom and Africa before settling in Melbourne, Australia. He commenced his Classical guitar studies with Robert Koenders in 1979. He studied further with Sebastian Jorgenson of Montsalvat, (A well known artist's community to the north east of Melbourne) and Jochen Schubert from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne. He attended master classes with John Williams and John Mills.

Although a late beginner to Classical Guitar, Michael excelled very quickly. He was first noticed by Melbourne television personality, John Attandavis who promptly organised his first performances at the prestigeous Windsor Hotel in Melbourne. He was to perform later at the same hotel with members of the Elisabethen Trust Symphony Orchestra.

Michael partnered with versatile Australian performer Catherine Rutten and travelled to Japan. This was the start of many journeys to Asia over the next 20 years. Performing extensively both in Japan and various cities across the eastern seaboard of Asia. His concerto performances of works by Rodrigo, Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Villa-Lobos were noted warmly by Asian critics. His career lead to further televised performances on Japanese and Hong Kong networks.

Regardless of his rising notability in the Classical Music world, Michael would suspend his music obligations to donate his time to volunteer work in Thailand with the UNHCR. He worked further for the cause of street children in Bangkok. He was quoted in an interview in the Bangkok Post describing his motive as a way of "thanking Asia for the great prosperity it bestowed upon me and it's only fitting that I return this favour through charitable work".

In the early to mid 1990's, Michael's life took a serious turn with the sudden death of his French fiancee. This lead to severe depression for some years. Compounded further with a near fatal bout of cancer and he was also diagnosed with a degenerative spinal ailment which doctors informed would be the end of his musical career. After some research Michael discovered Pilates therapy and happily found it seemed to reverse the ravages of his spinal ailment. It is unknown if Michael will achieve the same heights of capability in guitar as his early years, yet he has been quoted as saying that "even 80% would be more than enough, because teaching the next generation of musicians would be an honour".

Michael became the father to Amina (Amy) Bovo in 1998. He resettled in Byron Bay, Australia to give his daughter a "childhood in the sun". Michael is still working to restore his playing and has become very endeared to the music of South America, particularly Brazil.

[edit] Musical influences

Astor Piazolla, Baden-Powell, Al Di-Meola, Maria Callas, Olivia Newton-John, Jaqueline Du Pre, William Lovelady

[edit] Recordings

"Suberashi- An Evening in Kyoto". (Concierto de Aranjuez and Fantasia para un Gentlhombre). Rodrigo, Red Baron Productions.

Michael Bovo Live in Hong Kong. (Concerto in DMaj). Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. (Concerto for guitar) Heiter Villa-lobos. Winterlace Label

Some televised performances [NHK], [Japan] are to be re-mastered for re-release. These will include works by Malcolm Arnold and William Lovelady.

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