Mountain Views News Saturday, March 28, 2026 


CELEBRATED VIOLINIST MARTIN CHALIFOUR, 
JOINED BY EMINENT GUITARIST MAK 
GRGIC,CONTINUES RESIDENCY AT SIERRA MADRE 
PLAYHOUSE WITH “HISTORY OF THE TANGO” 

Program Is Anchored by Astor Piazzolla’s Iconic Histoire du Tango, Tracing Evolution of Argentina’s Iconic Musical 
Style through Expressive Dialogue between Violin and Guitar 

Friday, April 10, 2026, 8:00 PM,
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 8:00 PMat Sierra Madre Playhouse 

Illustrious violinist Martin Chalifour, the recently retired Principal Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic whose 30-year 

tenure with the orchestra is the longest in its history, continues his season-long residency at Sierra Madre Playhouse with back-
to-back performances of “History of the Tango,” Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11, 2026, 8:00 PM, at the historic venue. Chalifour, joined by eminent multi-Grammy-nominated 
guitarist Mak Grgic, traces the evolution of Argentina’s most celebrated – and passionate – musical style in a program anchored by Astor Piazzolla’s iconic work Histoire du Tango. 

The program moves from the sultry rhythms of early Buenos Aires dance halls to the concert sophistication and harmonic modernism that define the genre today. The evening unfolds 
as both concert and narrative—each movement evoking a different era: the raw energy of the 1900s bordello, the elegant café style of the 1930s, the concert hall reinvention of the mid-
century, and the cosmopolitan freedom of the modern tango. 

Chalifour and Grgic bring a refined and emotionally charged interpretation to this music, exploring tango’s rhythmic pulse, melodic lyricism, and evolving form. 
The expressive dialogue between their violin and guitar illustrates why tango remains one of the world’s most enduring expressions of passion and transformation. 

“We will complement the music of Piazzolla,” Chalifour says, “with Spanish Folk songs by Manuel de Falla, the charm of early music in a Vivaldi Sonata in C, and the timeless Schubert 
“Arpeggione” Sonata, presented in a new light for violin and guitar. We will also perform the irresistible music of Fritz Kreisler and the famed Bartók Romanian Dances.” 

Chalifour has shaped a career defined by musical depth, virtuosity, and a profound connection to both solo performance and orchestral leadership. A native of Québec and alumnus of 
the Montréal Conservatory and the Curtis Institute of Music, he became principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1995 and held the longest tenure in the orchestra’s 
history. Chalifour has brought his rich tone, expressive phrasing, and emotional clarity to more than 60 concertos and countless chamber music settings. On stage, he demonstrates both 
the refined sensibility of a soloist and the collaborative awareness of a concertmaster who shapes ensemble sound. 

Grgic, hailed as a “gifted young guitarist” (New York Times), is a star on the worldwide stage. An expansive and adventurous repertoire attests to his versatility and wide-ranging interests. 
From the ethnic music of his native Balkans to extreme avant-garde and microtonal music, his roles as soloist, collaborator, and four-time Grammy-nominated recording artist are fueled 
by curiosity, imagination, and boundless energy. As a testament to his versatility and wide-ranging appeal, in 2018 Grgic was invited by legendary singer-songwriter k.d. lang to perform 
as the opening act for the North American leg of her Ingénue Redux Tour. 

For tickets ($35) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre,
CA 91024. 

ABOUT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE 

Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions 
and captivating live performances. Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), the performing arts center has garnered tremendous accolades for 
its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As 
one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts centers presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions 
featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers 
an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics’ Choice honors. It is nestled into a 
historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly 
recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theater to the artistic institution that now 
stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the 
rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com