About The Aglaia Trio
The Aglaia Trio is a unique chamber group known for its engaging performances, vivid storytelling, original compositions and creative collaborations. The trio made up of Icelandic mezzo-soprano Gudrún Olafsdóttir, Spanish violinist Elena Jáuregui and guitarist Francisco Javier Jáuregui, performs music inspired by the folk repertoire – in particular from Spain and Iceland – as well as contemporary music. Their repertoire is composed or arranged by Francisco Javier as well as a number of recognised composers such as David del Puerto, Polina Medyulyanova, Agustín Castilla-Ávila and Thóra Marteinsdóttir.
The trio has performed widely in festivals and concert halls in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Austria and Iceland. Their latest CD Secretos quiero descubrir (Secrets I wish to reveal) has also been broadcast on the radio, including on Spanish and Icelandic National Radios.
The trio regularly collaborates with other artists and has done a number of musical and theatrical projects, including with The Spanish Theatre Company and writer Eduardo Jáuregui. The trio also believes in bringing music to younger audiences and regularly organises and participates in workshops and outreach concerts.
About the Name
Aglaia is the name of one of the three graces in Greek mythology, and represents beauty and splendour. For the ancient Greeks, the three graces together symbolised the fullness of life. This is a continuous source of inspiration for the trio, whose three members seek to create a full sound and celebrate life in all its richness, beauty and joy. Gudrún, Elena, Francisco Javier also have a personal connection to the name, as Aglaia is the name of a family house in Sicily.
The Icelandic mezzo-soprano Gudrún Ólafsdóttir has performed in concert and opera across Europe and in Latin America at venues such as Madrid’s Teatro Real, the St. Petersburg Philharmonia’s Glinka Hall, the Buenos Aires Coliseo and the Royal Festival Hall in London. She has won numerous international prizes for her singing and offered world premières of new works by composers of different nationalities, who have composed their works especially for her. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she has sung as a soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Sonor Ensemble, La Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and the St. Petersburg State Symphony. Her CDs include Grieg-Schumann, Mine is Yours – Icelandic and Spanish Songs, John Tavener Iepo Oneipo (Gramophone Editor’s Choice), English and Scottish Romantic Songs for Voice and Guitar (EMEC Discos), Áskell Másson (Naxos) and Secretos quiero descubrir – Spanish Music for Voice, Violin and Guitar (ABU Records).
Born in Madrid, Elena studied her violin degree in Spain with distinction and her Masters in Music Performance in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Elena has performed extensively across Europe, the United States and South America in venues such as the Auditorio Nacional de Música de Madrid, St-Martin-in-the-Fields (London), The Purcell Room (London), St James Piccadilly (London) and Fundación Juan March (Madrid). Her playing has also been broadcast on a number of radios, including on Spanish and Icelandic national radio and BBC Radio 3. Elena plays regularly with her brother Francisco Javier as the Roncesvalles Duo, as well as with Finnish pianist Julia Wallin. She also collaborates with composers such as Federico Jusid, David del Puerto, John Barber, Polina Medyulyanova, Eduardo Morales Caso, Zeltia Montes and Agustín Castilla-Ávila. Elena currently teaches violin and chamber music at Junior Trinity and at City of London School for Girls. She is also committed to educational and community projects, working regularly with organisations such as the Wigmore Hall.
Born in Madrid, Elena studied her violin degree in Spain with distinction and her Masters in Music Performance in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Elena has performed extensively across Europe, the United States and South America in venues such as the Auditorio Nacional de Música de Madrid, St-Martin-in-the-Fields (London), The Purcell Room (London), St James Piccadilly (London) and Fundación Juan March (Madrid). Her playing has also been broadcast on a number of radios, including on Spanish and Icelandic national radio and BBC Radio 3. Elena plays regularly with her brother Francisco Javier as the Roncesvalles Duo, as well as with Finnish pianist Julia Wallin. She also collaborates with composers such as Federico Jusid, David del Puerto, John Barber, Polina Medyulyanova, Eduardo Morales Caso, Zeltia Montes and Agustín Castilla-Ávila. Elena currently teaches violin and chamber music at Junior Trinity and at City of London School for Girls. She is also committed to educational and community projects, working regularly with organisations such as the Wigmore Hall.
Born in Oxford, Francisco Javier Jáuregui studied classical guitar in Los Angeles, California, in Madrid, and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Francisco Javier has played many recitals both as a solo performer and with different chamber combinations across Europe in venues such as the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Society Chamber (Glinka) Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Linbury Studio Theatre (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden), and the Auditorio Nacional de Música de Madrid. Francisco Javier works regularly with Icelandic mezzo-soprano Gudrún Ólafsdóttir and since 1997 he has performed with violinist Elena Jáuregui as the Roncesvalles Duo. He has collaborated with a number of composers such as Þorkell Sigurbjornsson, Agustín Castilla-Ávila, Haukur Tómasson, Hugi Gudmundsson, Eduardo Morales-Caso, David del Puerto and Polina Medyulyanova. He has also written a number of arrangements and original compositions for various chamber groups including Sonor Ensemble. At present he teaches classical guitar and coordinates the music department at St. Louis University, Madrid Campus.