Antonio Forcione is an Italian guitarist, composer, and performer. According to many—both audiences and fellow guitarists—he is "probably the best acoustic guitar player in the world," sharing the top spot with Tommy Emmanuel!
Forcione initially studied percussion before switching to guitar. As a result, his playing showcases strong and complex rhythms, as well as significant use of the guitar body for percussive effects. His musical imagination takes us from gypsy jazz notes to Latin American rhythms and the music of both the Apennine and Balkan Peninsulas.
His live performances are truly a sonic spectacle, leaving the audience fascinated—not only by his magical technique but also by the imaginative nature of his compositions.
Antonio Forcione has released 21 albums, primarily featuring original material, and has performed at festivals and theaters worldwide. He frequently shares the stage with renowned musicians such as Charlie Haden, Angelique Kidjo, Trilok Gurtu, Sarah Jane Morris, and many others. In 2019, his "AKA Trio", alongside Seckou Keita and Adriano Adewale, won the OWMR Award for Best "World Music" Album of the Year for their album Joy.
In Skopje, Antonio Forcione will perform on May 24, 2025, in the Grand Hall of the Macedonian Philharmonic with his quartet. Alongside him, we will hear renowned musicians:
- Jenny Adejayan (cello)
- Matheus Nova (bass)
- Jansen Santana (percussion)
All of them have performed on world music stages alongside great artists such as Courtney Pine, Doudou Cissoko, Elza Soares, and many others.