Rafael Aguirre is one of the most sought-after guitarists at an international level, having received 13 top First Prizes for his instrument such as the Tárrega Competition and also obtaining important awards in all instrumental categories such as the Pro Musicis in New York. He was named Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London (ARAM), in recognition of his international career and he received the National Award “Cultura Viva” in Madrid. He has performed in 49 countries.
In the 2025/26 season, Rafael will make his debut with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, and will return to the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and the Castilla y León Symphony Orchestra (OSCyL) as subscription performers. He will also become the first Spanish guitarist to perform as a soloist at the BBC Proms, at London's Royal Albert Hall, with the Spanish National Orchestra and David Afkham.
A native of Málaga (Spain), at the age of 16 he made his orchestral debut with the Málaga Youth Orchestra on a tour of Spain and Morocco. He was awarded a scholarship by the Junta de Andalucía and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Bonn to study in Germany with Professor Joaquín Clerch at the Hochschule Robert Schumann in Düsseldorf, where he graduated with honors. He later studied with Professor Michael Lewin at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He currently resides in Mexico City.
