Anima e Grazia Presents “Passion of a Spanish Heart” The W&L faculty duo will perform on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall.

By Emily Innes
February 5, 2024

The Department of Music at Washington and Lee University presents a faculty recital titled “Passion of a Spanish Heart,” performed by Anima e Grazia on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall in the Lenfest Center for the Performing Arts.

The performance is free and open to the public. The event will be streamed online at go.wlu.edu/livestream.

Anima e Grazia is a local duo comprised of cellist Julia Goudimova and pianist Anna Billias. The recital will present the music of Spanish composers from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Eduard Lalo, Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla and Joaquin Turina. Goudimova and Billias will explore some of the best works for cello and piano featuring fiery rhythms, unfolding drama and Flamenco passion.

Billias, a lecturer in W&L’s music department, was trained as a concert pianist at the Prokofiev State Academy of Music in Donetsk, Ukraine, and graduated with advanced degrees in both performance and instruction for piano. She has performed at venues around the world and is a member of the Marlbrook Chamber Players, a well-regarded ensemble in the greater Rockbridge area.

Goudimova was born in Moscow, Russia, and began studying cello at the age of seven. After graduating from the Belarus Academy of Music, she performed with various groups in Belarus, Moldova, South Korea, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. A lecturer in the university’s music department, Goudimova is involved in symphony orchestras and chamber music performances across southwestern Virginia and is a member of the Saturn String Quartet and Marlbrook Chamber Players.