Born
in Madrid in 1956, Miguel Rivera starts playing the guitar
with the maestro José Ledesma at the very early age
of 9 years old.
When
he was 15 years old, he gets to know the maestro Manolo
Sanlucar. Since then Miguel frequently visited Sanlucar´s
home to learn and listen him. He asks for his advice and learns
many special skills. Manolo Sanlucar influenced a lot in his
practice and a better understanding in his formal studies.
While
still very young, he began playing in different "tablaos"
and flamenco gatherings for "cantaores" like José
Mercé, Paco Toronjo, Enrique Soto, etc. These experiences
determined his formation and flamenco concepts.
In
1979 he gave his first guitar concert within the cultural
activities of the Universidad Complutense of Madrid.
His
first visit to Australia was an important milestone in his
career. Assisted by The Music Board of the Australia Council,
he played in different states with great success: at the Sydney
Festival, at the Melbourne Art Gallery and at the Canberra
School of Music. His concerts and teaching
(master classes and seminars) helped to spread flamenco art
in this country.
Since
1985 he collaborated with Víctor
Monje "Serranito", a friend and internationally
renowned guitar player. Miguel actively participated in his
tours (Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Arab Countries) and
recording projects ("Ecos del Guadalquivir").
In
1988 he is invited by the Mayo Fiorentino to participate in
"La Vida Breve" with other prestigious artists in
the Teatro Comunale de Firenze (Italy). He has also composed
flamenco music for the play "Cachorro", written
by Salvador Távoras and directed and choreographed
by José Antonio Ruiz, former director of the Spanish
National Ballet. The play opened at the Teatro Lope de Vega
of Sevilla and then travelled with great success through México
(Festival Cervantino), Argentina (Bs.As., Teatro Broadway),
Festival de Olite (Navarra) and Festival de Otoño de
Madrid (Teatro Alcázar).
He
also composed music for choreographies of Rafael de Córdoba
and Ricardo Franco among others.
He
has performed concerts very successfully in Greece, Israel
and, very recently, in Iran, as part of the cultural exchange
promoted by the Spanish Embassy.
Recently
he has recorded "Verdesperanza"
and now he is working in his next record.
