Guitarist Maestro Mauricio: “Proud to be a part of the Vietnam-Mexico friendship connection”

Guitarist Maestro Mauricio: “Proud to be a part of the Vietnam-Mexico friendship connection”

On this occasion, the World & Vietnam Report would like to present an interview with artist Mauricio about his memorable emotions.

Can you share about yourself and why you pursued becoming a guitarist instead of playing the piano or drums?

My family is in Mexico, and I was fortunate to be born into a family with a musical tradition. My father is a renowned musician.

My path to the guitar was very natural. My father and family never forced me to learn an instrument, but perhaps hearing my father's music from the womb, by age 7, I spent less time playing like other children and more time passionately playing the guitar, sometimes from 2 to 3 hours per day without getting bored.

My father ignited my passion for the guitar. At age 7, I officially went to study guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Madrid, Spain.

You have an impressive record and many international awards. Family background is essential, but personal effort is equally crucial, and you are no exception.

I inherited musical genes from my father. However, to pursue a career, one must truly strive to become an artist. So, at 17, I decided to go to Spain.

In a foreign country, without support from the government or family, I faced many challenges, worked hard and took on extra jobs for income. I even earn money by playing guitar in restaurants. But in a country considered the cradle of guitar with flamenco and classic melodies like Spain, finding work was much harder for me, and earning money from the guitar was a significant effort and endeavour.

Have you ever travelled or performed in Vietnam?

Life has given me many blessings. In my career, the international guitar awards I have won have made me more well-known.

Artist Mauricio played guitar at the "Festival Guitar - 2025" held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 16. During the event, he also performed and talked with the audience. (Photo: Bảo Lan)

I have visited Vietnam four times, participating as a judge and being invited by businesses to perform. I have been to Da Nang, Hanoi, and this is my second time in Ho Chi Minh City.

How do you find Vietnamese cuisine and people compared to other countries you have visited?

I enjoy Vietnamese cuisine and am genuinely impressed with the street food in Hanoi.

Perhaps because I am a guitarist? But honestly, every piece of music and note I play is the emotion I want to convey to my audience, making me very emotional. I remember my first visit to Vietnam, touring Ha Long Bay. I was astonished and genuinely moved when standing before the majestic and picturesque natural scenery. At that moment, I cried.

And the Vietnamese people? Very open, friendly, and hospitable. I’m not just saying this to please you. It’s true. When I walk on the street, they smile and greet me. People ask questions warmly and are friendly during events, making me feel neither distant nor strange.

Mr. Vũ Minh Anh, Honorary Consul of Mexico, interacts with artists Mauricio and Nguyễn Thanh Huy at the "Guitar Concert" night (Photo: Bảo Lan)

How do you feel about being invited to perform at the critical event celebrating 50 years of Mexico-Vietnam diplomatic relations?

This is an opportunity to return to Vietnam once more and an honour for an artist to contribute to the “thread” connecting the friendship between Mexico and Vietnam, as this is an important diplomatic event.

As an artist with many international awards, I still had to practice for months on Mexican musical works to introduce a part of Mexican culture to Vietnamese audiences. For example, the song "Little Star" is famous in Mexico, even likened to a national anthem. The original piece was written for the piano. Still, due to its popularity, I spent a lot of time rearranging it so that through the guitar, I could convey the author's intent while preserving the “Mexican essence” in the melody.

In these two events, you performed with Vietnamese guitarist Nguyễn Thanh Huy, who also has achievements in the guitar field. What does that mean to you?

Artists Mauricio and Nguyễn Thanh Duy performing together at the Guitar Concert on August 18 in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Bảo Lan)

This event featured two major programs, a Festival and a Concert about guitar, held in Ho Chi Minh City. As the host, Thanh Huy was quite busy with preparations. We had little opportunity to meet and exchange. However, as artists, we share a musical empathy, making our collaboration at the Concert extraordinary, natural, and spontaneous. Both of us found beautiful moments when playing together. I am pleased about that.

In my eyes, he is an excellent artist. I hope to collaborate with Thanh Huy in other guitar events, as I have expressed my desire to invite him to perform in Mexico.

What would you like to share with Vietnamese audiences, especially those passionate about guitar?

Each guitar piece has its beauty; for me, playing technique is essential. The guitar style should be open, as through my playing, I hope Vietnamese audiences, especially guitar enthusiasts, can see that playing guitar can achieve many things, like playing drums on the guitar.

On my visits to Vietnam, this is the second time I have been invited as a judge for the international guitar competition in Ho Chi Minh City, "Festival Guitar 2025". I am impressed with the guitar skills of Vietnamese students and artists – they are very talented. Vietnam also has many excellent guitar arrangers, which surprises me. I hope to have the opportunity to visit Vietnam many more times.

Thank you, and wish you health and success!

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