Carlos Núñez is a vibrant, energetic and joyous musician in concert.

Some might say it's because he is Spanish.

Some might say it's just part of the act.

Núñez says when he is on stage he “becomes a child again,” remembering how it felt the first time he picked up the gaita (bagpipes of Galicia, Spain) at the age of eight.

“There is so much passion because it was a dream so strong for me to be a musician and to play Celtic music,” Núñez said. “For us (Galicians) music is not just a business, it's a way of life. It's a mission.”

Núñez says part of that mission, to keep their music alive, stems from the years Francisco Franco was head of state.

“Franco was raised in Galicia, but he was all flamenco, flamenco, flamenco, because it was what the tourists wanted,” Núñez said. “When he died, there was an expression of freedom ... of energy, that came (back) to Galicia.”

Núñez learned from all of the old masters.

“The masters tell me, 'you are the guardian of our treasure (gaita). You must preserve it to keep it for the next generation,” Núñez said. “It was very sad, very sad when Paco de Lucia, died yesterday (February 26). He was sort of the guardian of the flamenco. I would be to Celtic/Galician music what Paco was to the flamenco.”

In his liner notes for Núñez's new release, “Inter-Celtic,” Earle Hitchner describes this musician's talents eloquently: “Carlos’s utter mastery of this bagpipe has been integral to its rising popularity inside and outside Spain. His ability in fingering the chanter to bend, extend, or cut notes, sustain and change tempos, explore harmonic nuances and tonal colors, and complement and counterpoint other musicians’ playing is nothing short of astonishing, and those musical hallmarks are not limited to his playing of the gaita.”

Núñez believes the second part of the mission is brotherhood through music. He sees this brotherhood, people of all cultures, connecting at his concerts.

“People have said to me, 'Carlos, you pull everyone together! How especial! Irish, Scots, Mexicans and Brazilians … everyone is dancing together. ' We love always to look for the connection. In life, you can look for differences or you can look for connections. My mission is always to connect with others. Today Celtic is universal, it is inter-Celtic – a whole trans-Atlantic family connected by music.”

Galicia is in the northwest of Spain and borders the Atlantic Ocean. Núñez grew up there in the coastal town of Vigo. The Atlantic corridor was “the magical connector,” the way the pipes found their way to Ireland and Scotland.

Núñez loves to connect through collaboration as well. He is often asked why all of his recordings are collaborations. He finds it to be a “nice way to learn from other artists” and feels the music becomes “richer, more powerful.”

“Inter-Celtic,” the new release of 16 compositions, is the whole package. It features collaborations with The Chieftains, Ry Cooder, button accordionist Sharon Shannon, Ireland's bouzouki-bodhrán player Dónal Lunny, and others.

Núñez's band for the “Inter-Celtic” 2014 tour: Stephanie Cadman, fiddle, step-dancing and vocals; his brother Xurxo Núñez, percussion and Galician shells; and Pancho Alvarez, Atlantic guitar. A multi-instrumentalist, Núñez will also be playing the Scottish Highland pipes, flutes, the penny whistle and recorder. He has also mastered the uilleann (Irish pipes), ocarina, Breton oboe and others.

Núñez's fondness for collaboration extends to all of his performances. He invites local pipers and drummers to join the band at some point during the Monday, March 17 show.

“Just like The Chieftains did for me (1994) – and it changed my life. If there are musicians that want to play with us, it would be fantastic!”

Musicians interested in joining the band on stage at some point during the March 17 show at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor can call Cathy Sherrill at 207-633-6855.

Núñez is looking forward to his visit here, on the Atlantic coast.

“The Atlantic is magic. I think in your region I will feel really at home. It will feel like a Conquistador coming to paradise!”

For more on  Núñez, visit his website, www.carlos-nunez.com.

To experience Núñez, get your tickets at the Opera House box office, in person at 86 Townsend Avenue or by calling 207-633-5159.