Claudia y Manito are a duo based in The Netherlands who play music from the golden age of the bolero and the tango in South America. Claudia plays the Paraguayan harp and the guitar and is also the vocalist. Manito accompanies her on guitar and lute with his distinctive gypsy-sound. On their first CD — Arpamor — they perform Argentinian, Paraguayan and Venezuelan music. The styles range from well known genres as the bolero and the tango, to lesser known ones like the chamamé, joropo, polca and guaranía.

Arpamor is a very balanced production that can compete with the best productions from South America, home to the music on this CD, and it will come as no surprise to hear that Claudia has her roots over there. Claudia and Manito have been working as a duo for over a decade and their strings work in perfect harmony. The harp of Claudia and the lute of Manito transport us in the direction of a bygone golden age of music and on the notes of their music we can float with the angels towards paradise... Arpamor — “arpa de amor” — harp music of love and joy.

Tracklist

1. Mi Atarraya
2. La Última Noche
3. Rodríguez Peña
4. La Media Vuelta
5. Solito En La Noche
6. Ansiedad
7. Qué Será De Tí?
8. Guitarra Romana
9. Esteban
10. La Barca
11. Mercedita

Manito speelde oorspronkelijk gypsy swing, maar staat open voor allerlei andere genres,zoals flamenco, en Claudia verkent samen met hem niet alleen het repertoire dat bij haar instrument hoort, zoals porro en joropo, maar ook Cubaanse son, tango, rumba en chachacha. Daardoor horen we hun prachtig klaterende samenspel in diverse stijlen, die allemaal een licht melancholieke lyriek gemeen hebben. Claudia zingt op vijf van de elf nummers, met een plezierige stem, maar de snaren zijn een stuk welsprekender."

Frank van Herk, de Volkskrant 11-5-2011