SURVIVING BARRIOS MANGORÉ GUITAR, Asuncion-PARAGUAY-  Nov. 25, 2002

Fully restored Barrios Guitar

VIDEO of "the" Guitar Renato Bellucci plays Barrios' "Una Limosna por el amor de Dios" on Barrios' Marin guitar. April 12, 2010

Mr. Aguilera is an energetic 110 years old with an iron memory and agile body and a huge passion for soccer. His only material possession was this jewel. When he brought it out from his bedroom (he kept her in a closet) his eyes started filling with tears as he started going back in the years. He has been offered different sums of money for the instrument but as he so simply put it "what am I going to do with the money??"   The craftsmanship on the guitar is simply astonishing. I was taken back in time with my imagination and I could see Barrios playing and composing with it. It was like a flashback. At the same time Mr. Aguilera told me of the serenades he would take to his sweethearts with the "magical guitar"... I played a single note on the Marin. I did not want to tune it since the strings were oooold and the guitar needed some restoring. 

The story goes like this: After the Luque Cathedral recital, 18 years old Eliodoro approached Barrios, who was standing outside the Luque Cathedral looking at the people coming and going, and, after a brief introduction, told Mangoré that he wanted to learn how to play the guitar and was desperately looking for a good instrument. Barrios told him "I can sell you one of my guitars since I bought a new one in Spain a few weeks ago*... I will wait for you at this address tomorrow...(his brother's home in downtown Asuncion)" . Mr. Aguilera's mom punctually attended the meeting, paid the Maestro and the rest is history...
Jorge, Mr. Aguilera's grandson and one of my students, took me to his grandfather's house, picture above, to see the guitar. Jorge brought the guitar to my house a few days later saying that his grandpa was going to rest in peace knowing that his most loved material possession was in my hands. I promised I would have the guitar restored so as to be able to play her again which I did.  The guitar is back in the studio since yesterday, May 3 2005.

• For mangore.com 10th anniversary (2007), My luthiers and I decided to give this beauty a total makeover. After 2 months of work, she made her debut again today June 23rd 2007. We made her a playable concert instrument. We rectified the fingerboard, changed the frets and tuning machines, sanded her and got her covered in hand applied lacquer. I played La Catedral on her and she is back for another 150 years ! 

FULLY RESTORED BARRIOS' GUITAR

Fully restored Barrios' guitar (Bellucci private collection)

I can hardly describe the mixture of feelings and shivers that I get every time I play her. I play La Catedral and tears start filling my eyes knowing that the Paraguayan master probably played the piece or even composed it on this legendary instrument. 
A few months ago (February 2008) this babe posed for the new 50,000 Guaranies bill. She's depicted on one side and the Paraguayan master is depicted on the other side. She is a part of Paraguayan and world music history ! Eliodoro's generosity will go down in history with his beloved guitar.

Below are: the home where Barrios was born in San Juan de las Misiones, Paraguay and a picture showing guitarist John Williams posing in front of the house during his visit to Paraguay.
 

My last addition to this story is the video I just made (April 12, 2010) of the legendary guitar. I had to play Barrios' last composition "Una Limosna por el amor de Dios". I play this guitar at exclusive recitals only. She adds a magical atmosphere for being the instrument that she is. When I play the instrument I feel tears coming to my eyes and an indescribable feeling invades my soul. The guitar is now a part of my artistic life and a blessed one at that. The sound is full, mature with a sweetness that is very hard to be put into words....