Duo Abreu

Recognized as one of the greatest guitar duos of all time, Sérgio and Eduardo Abreu were born in Rio de Janeiro in 1948 and 1949, respectively. Their musical training began early: they studied with their grandfather, Antônio Rebello, and later with their father, Osmar Abreu, both accomplished guitarists. From 1961 onward, they became students of the guitarist Monina Távora, an Argentine living in Brazil and a disciple of Andrés Segovia. The duo made their official debut in 1963 at the Associação Brasileira de Imprensa in Rio de Janeiro. Their international recognition came in the late 1960s: in 1967, Sérgio won the ORTF International Guitar Competition in Paris, becoming the youngest winner at the time; in 1968, Eduardo placed second in the same competition. These achievements led to a recording contract with CBS and launched their international careers. The duo's repertoire was extensive, spanning works from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Sérgio Abreu also stood out as an arranger, creating adaptations that became a central part of the duo’s repertoire and expanded the possibilities of the formation. In 1975, Eduardo decided to end his musical career to focus on engineering. Sérgio continued as a soloist for a few years, during which he recorded an LP featuring works by Paganini and Sor and took part in the album of soprano Maria Lúcia Godoy, performing works by Villa-Lobos. In the early 1980s, he also retired from the concert stage to devote himself entirely to lutherie. As a luthier, Sérgio Abreu gained widespread recognition, producing outstanding instruments inspired by a Hauser model. He passed away on January 19, 2023, at the age of 74, leaving a legacy both as a performer and as one of Brazil’s most respected luthiers.