The Romeros to Headline Aug. 21 Symphony at Salk

July 15, 2004

The Romeros to Headline Aug. 21 Symphony at Salk

July 15, 2004

La Jolla, CA – Known as the ‘Royal Family of the Guitar,’ the Del Mar-based Romeros will perform at the ninth annual Symphony at Salk, a benefit for the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (www.salk.edu) scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21.

Tours of the Salk Institute start at 5 p.m., box suppers will be served beginning at 6 p.m., and a concert featuring the Romeros and the San Diego Symphony, conducted by Edwin Outwater, will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Venue for the concert is the Salk’s famed open air Gildred Court, which offers sunset views of the Pacific and is framed on two sides by three stories of working labs. Designed by architect Louis I. Kahn, the Salk Institute is one of the world’s most honored structures and is a designated historical site.

Symphony at Salk has become one of San Diego’s premier cultural events, and proceeds from the event benefit biological research that has an important impact on human health and disease. Tickets are $150 for the concert, dinner, wine and tours and may be obtained by calling Institute Relations at 858-453-4100, Ext. 1491.

Internationally renowned artist Francoise Gilot-Salk, widow of Jonas Salk, is again honorary chair of the event. Gilot-Salk’s artwork provides the event’s visual theme.

The Romeros and the San Diego Symphony will perform works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Massenet, Rimsky-Korsakoff and Rodrigo.

Widely known for their influence on modern classical guitar, members of the Romeros family have been performing together since 1957, when patriarch Celedonio Romero immigrated with his family to the United States from Spain. Sons Celin, Pepe and Angel each made their debut as members of the quartet while they were in their teen years. Although Celedonio passed away in San Diego in 1996, the legendary family dynasty continues with the addition of grandson Celino, son of Celin Romero, who is a professor of music and guitar at UCSD and San Diego State University.

Celin and his son Celino, plus brothers Pepe and Angel, comprise the current quartet that will be performing at this year’s Symphony at Salk.

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, located at 10010 North Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla, is an independent non-profit institution dedicated to fundamental discoveries in the life sciences, the improvement of human health and conditions, and the training of future generations of researchers. Jonas Salk, M.D., founded the Institute in 1960, with a gift of land from the city of San Diego and the financial support of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.