Victoria Guitar Society presents guitar virtuoso Jorge Caballero

The New York Times called him "a masterly guitarist" with "chameleonic timbres."
An Italian critic described him as "standing on top of the repertoire's Mount Everest."
Peruvian-Canadian guitarist Jorge Caballero is widely regarded as one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing today, renowned for expanding the possibilities of the instrument with his phenomenal technique. Described as “breathtaking to watch” and “a masterly guitarist”, his performances combine astonishing precision with immense emotional power, particularly in his celebrated transcriptions of monumental piano and orchestral works.
Jorge Caballero is widely regarded as one of the great guitar virtuosos of our time. Celebrated for both his extraordinary technical command and profound musicality, Caballero is internationally renowned for performing monumental works rarely attempted on guitar, including Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Dvorak’s New World Symphony. The New York Times has praised his “masterly” playing and “chameleonic timbres.”
Caballero has appeared at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Library of Congress, and has performed as soloist with orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and Turkey’s Presidential Symphony. He has also collaborated with leading chamber ensembles including the Miró and Mendelssohn String Quartets, as well as acclaimed vocalists and instrumentalists from around the world.
Born into a musical family in Lima, Peru, he began guitar studies at age ten and quickly gained international recognition through major competition victories. At just 19, he became the youngest musician — and only guitarist ever — to win the prestigious Walter W. Naumburg International Competition in New York, often compared to the Pulitzer Prize for classical musicians. Additional honours include top prizes at the Tokyo, Alhambra, and Luis Sigall international competitions.
Caballero is especially admired for his fearless transcriptions of orchestral and piano masterworks, bringing vast symphonic textures and colours to the guitar with astonishing clarity and imagination. His performances combine intellectual depth, technical mastery, and emotional power, earning him recognition as one of the instrument’s most innovative artists. He currently serves on the guitar faculty at the University of Toronto and also teaches at Kean University in the United States.