Against all odds, AlmaNova thrives as a flute and guitar chamber music duo.

Jessica Pierce and Almer Imamovic had no trouble connecting romantically while they studied at the renowned École Normale de Musique de Paris. When it came to music, the connection wasn’t as easy, since the repertoire available for a guitar-flute duo is very limited compared to the endless material for guitar or, say, flute and piano.

That pushed Imamovic to flood the world with all the original guitar-flute pieces best he could, some of which grab inspiration from his native Balkan rhythms and sometimes-melancholy melodies. Additionally, he sources various classical styles and even pop and rock techniques, and constructs arrangements for flute and guitar that include everything from “Silent Night” to Jethro Tull’s “War Child.”

“Sometimes half our program is made up of Almer’s compositions,” Pierce says. “I enjoy exploring the softer sounds and the more intimate colors when I play. I love the range of dynamics we’re able to create.”

Imamovic’s “Stani Draga” – glazed in a wealth of ’90s metal riffage – was featured in Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey.

“Stani Draga” is different from AlmaNova originals like the passionate serenade “Sarajevo Nights” and the swift Bosnian tap dance suite “Tapkalica.” They may even perform a couple jazz standard arrangements at the Magic Circle Theatre.

Last September, Pierce and Imamovic opened Sierra Madre Music, which offers music lessons, provides repair service and sells accessories and a few instruments, so time for touring has been limited – they’ve averaged around one show per month over the past year, everyone approached with the same excitement as if it was their first.

ALMANOVA performs 7:30pm Saturday, July 27, at the Magic Circle Theatre, 8 El Caminito Road, Carmel Valley. $25. 659-7500.

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