The Mēla Guitar Quartet and Its Stunning Performance of "Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture"

The Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts has released a new video recorded on location, and this time it's a video of a guitar quartet! The Mēla Guitar Quartet is the winner of the 2023 GFA International Ensemble Competition. The members of the quartet, Matthew Robinson, George Tarlton, Michael Butten, and Zahrah Hutton, are based in London where they completed their studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music. The name "Mēla" comes from the Sanskrit word for "Festival". 

In the video below, The Mēla Guitar Quartet performed George Tarlton's arrangement of the "Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture" by Mikhail Glinka. Their performance is full of virtuosic alternated passages that are breathtaking. We strongly recommend listening to this performance with good stereo headphones or speakers. 

The video was recorded in the West Dead Estate in West Sussex, U.K. The estate dates back to 1068. In the 17th century, it was purchased by a family of wealthy ironmasters, and then in the 20th century, it became a haven for artists, poets, and the Intelligentsia. Today, it is home to the internationally renowned West Dean College of Arts and Conservation.

Check out the full video below!