AN INTERNATIONALLY renowned tango star will be coming to Dorchester.

Martín Alvarado will be singing at the Dorchester Corn Exchange during his 12-date tour of the England in October and November.

Joining the globe-trotting tango troubadour for event on will be a phenomenal pianist and bandoneón player Mikko Helenius, from Finland, with whom Alvarado has recently recorded an album.

Finland is a country which has its own tango tradition and where Alvarado had his first major career break in 2003.

He has been performing with Finland's most talented tango musicians ever since and in September headlined at one of the most important tango music festivals in the world there, Maailmantango-festivaali (World of Tango Festival), in Tampere.

Also on stage with be internationally renowned dancers Miriam Orcutt and Dante Culcuy who were finalists in the World Tango Championships in Buenos Aires in 2015 and currently run the largest tango academy in the UK.

Alvarado's 17-day British tour is part of his three-month international tour, his 39th as a soloist in 15 years, which have seen him perform at some of the most prestigious venues in the world.

Over the past six years, the singer, who is renowned for his exceptional tenor voice and sublime performances, has performed more than 100 times in England, Wales and Scotland. His repertoire includes rarely heard Piazzolla, Finnish tango, classic Argentine tangos and songs and some of his own compositions.

His UK manager and promoter, Lisa Cherry-Downes, of L Tango Promotions, said: "Martin has had a fabulous year of performances this year, singing in front of 6,000 at the Kremlin Palace Concert Hall in Moscow in February and also at the world's top two major tango festivals in Buenos Aires in August and Finland in September.

"He is always well received in the UK. As well as his mesmerising voice, he also has stage presence and charisma - he has that indefinable 'X Factor' which is why he has had such a successful career so far and why he is really helping to put tango singing back on the music map outside of Argentina in a way that I don't think has been seen since the days of Carlos Gardel in the 1930s.

"His music is tango for the 21st century and he takes this genre to a new level - it is not just entertainment but art. And with Mikko... well if you think you know tango, think again. This will be unforgettable and, without giving too much away, unlike anything you have come across!"

Alvarado said: "I am looking forward to returning to the UK. I forget how many times now I have toured there but the British audiences are always very warm and respectful.

"Of course, I am delighted to be having Mikko with me again for four of the dates because he is one of the most talented musicians I have come across in my career and we have a special chemistry and spontaneity. No two concerts are ever the same with Mikko!"

Before the show, there will be a three-hour social dance - a milonga - in the Town Hall between 3pm to 6pm where local dancers can take to the floor. This is free to people with a ticket for the performance.

*Martín Alvarado will be coming to Dorchester on Sunday, October 29 at 7pm. Call the Dorchester Arts box office for tickets.

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