Expedition | Musical Evenings at San Fernando Cathedral

Two outstanding young Russian soloists – cellist Boris Andrianov and guitarist Dimitri Illarionov – combine forces in this rare and wonderful combination. Andrianov, who plays the cello with the ease of a violin, and Illarionov, who does not seem to know any instrumental boundaries, show an unbelievable breadth of musicality. Both musicians won important competitions. Their duo CD “Classical Duo” (by Delos Records, USA) was in the preliminary list of nominations for Grammy Award. This CD as well as Dimitri Illarionov’s solo CDs with Naxos, Daminus Records and Edition Doberman and Boris Andrianov’s CDs with Quartz Records were highly acclaimed by critics. The duo has given concerts in Europe, North America and Asia. They took part in some significant festivals, such as the 2004 Los Angeles Festival of Russian Culture, the Tongyeong International Music Festival (Korea) and the Crescendo International Music Festival in St.Petersburg, Russia. In 2005 they were invited to play at the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe and had an appearance between the speeches of German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among other venues where they have performed as a duo are the 2006 G-8 Summit in Saint-Petersburg, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Music Festival and in France: Festival de musique d’Auvers-sur-Oise, the Festival Pablo Casals Prades and the Annecy Classic Festival, the Frick Collection in New York, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee…

Cellist Boris Andrianov, winner of the bronze medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, is the first Russian laureate at the International Rostropovich Competition in Paris. His talent has been recognized by musicians such as Zubin Mehta – “his profound musicality and phrasing impresses one almost immediately.” and Daniil Shafran – “Boris Andrianov is probably one of the most talented cellists of Russia at present.” Boris Andrianov has performed at the Moscow Conservatory halls, Moscow Philharmonic Hall, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Hall, the Concertgebouw, Tokyo’s Opera City and Suntory Hall and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He has performed with the French National Orchestra, the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, the Beethoven Orchestra with such conductors as Valery Gergiev, Pavel Kogan, Alexander Vedernikov, Krzysztof Penderecki and David Geringas. His CD of Rachmaninov and Shostakovich sonatas with pianist Uri Urasin on the Quartz label received the Gramophone’s “Editor’s Choice”.

Guitarist Dimitri Illarionov is the winner of two of the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world – the International Guitar Foundation of America Solo Guitar Competition and the International Guitar Competition of Francisco Tarrega (the first time in 42 years that the winner was from Russia). Dimitri has played in some of the most prestigious halls in the world – Tonhalle (Zurich, Switzerland); Lutfu Kirdar (Istanbul); Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory; Concert Hall “Bulgaria” (Sofia); Osaka Symphony Hall; “Schleswig-Holstein” Music Festival. He teaches at the Russian Gnesins’s Academy of Music. “… with such temperament, musicianship, richness of colour, radiance, sense of timing and feeling the acoustic qualities of his soft-toned instrument that the combination of all these abilities, coupled with an evident gift for entertainment, is the best expressed in one single word: wow!” “Tages-Anzeiger” (Zurich, Switzerland)

– Are tickets required for entry to the concert?
Yes, but they are free! Seating is first-come-first-served.

– How do I get a ticket?
Tickets are available on this page or on Eventbrite. 

– What do I show at the door?
To help our attendants, please have your ticket ready when you get there. Attendants will be ready to scan the QR code on your ticket (print, email, or app).

– What if I forget to get a ticket(s) or don’t have one when I get there?
An attendant at the door can help you register and get in quickly and easily. If you have registered but have forgotten the ticket, an attendant can pull up your name and check you in manually.

– What are the current health protocols I need to follow?
Masks are not required. 

– How do I get to the San Fernando Cathedral? Where do I park?
The San Fernando Cathedral lies at the center of downtown San Antonio at: 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205.

While there is no dedicated parking for the Cathedral, there are many close parking options. City Paystations and meters are FREE on Sundays, and you can find more info and options on our website here.

There are three (3) main entrances to the Cathedral: two (2) main front (east) entrances off Main Plaza and one (1) side entrance for wheelchair-accessibility on the left (south) side.

– Can I take picture(s) or video(s)?
No flash photography. We ask that you limit photos or videos to a minimum during the actual performance as a courtesy to our artists.

– When will tickets for the next concert of Russell Hill Rogers Musical Evenings at San Fernando Cathedral be available?
Tickets for the next concert open up after this event has concluded.

Any other questions? Contact us.