“It is not yet sold out, but it is on the way. Therefore, we are convinced that we will have the largest audience ever at a classical music concert in Portugal,” stated Tiago Castelo Branco, executive director of the promoting company MOT – Espetáculos e Entretenimento Lda.
Tiago Castelo Branco noted that “for the same concert on the same day, it is the largest capacity ever.”
Announced in October 2024, with a capacity of 25,000 seats, a symphony orchestra with 80 musicians, and a choir with 70 voices, the promoter anticipated “another great concert by Andrea Bocelli that celebrates the artist’s 30-year career.”
“It is a special concert that will bring great guests to join him and marks a significant moment in the artist’s career, who has a strong connection with Portugal and the Portuguese public,” he mentioned, recalling previous concerts in the country and the audience’s reception.
The executive director of MOT stated that Andrea Bocelli “brings to Portugal a different lineup, a slightly different approach,” believing that “it will offer the audience a truly memorable concert.”
“The choir accompanying Bocelli is the one formed in 2021 for the concert in Coimbra. They are all amateur musicians who are part of three choirs from Coimbra, and since we are doing the concert in Leiria, we have invited two choirs from Leiria,” he said.
The participating choirs are from Orfeão de Leiria, Ninfas do Lis, and the Mixed Choir of the Academic Association of Coimbra, Coimbra Vocal Choir, and the Choir of Former Orpheonists of the University of Coimbra.
The concert begins at 21:30.
The gates of the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Municipal Stadium will open at 19:00, with the promoter urging people to arrive in Leiria “as early as possible,” noting that the Leiria Fair is ongoing nearby, which affects mobility.
“People should not try to reach the stadium [by car], as the perimeter is closed, park in the designated areas, use the ‘shuttle,’ and arrive as early as possible for the concert,” advised Tiago Castelo Branco, adding that a warm night is expected, so attendees should stay hydrated.
According to information from the Municipality of Leiria, there are several parking areas nearby, both free and paid, allowing people to reach the stadium on foot, by ‘shuttle,’ or by taxi/TVDE.
The ‘shuttle’ service is free and provided by the municipality from 17:00 to 22:00 and from 23:30 to 02:00, operating from Mercado do Falcão, the School of Technology and Management, and Olhalvas (hospital), all heading to the north entrance of the stadium (near Nerlei).
The municipality also stated that “the event will feature video surveillance, drones, and the collaboration of security forces, firefighters, and civil protection, in the venue, at the Leiria Fair, and throughout the surrounding area.”
The stadium will offer bars for purchasing food and drinks.
The Public Security Police (PSP) recommends planning the trip to the concert in advance, considering the restrictions related to the event and the Leiria Fair, warning that from 14:00 on Saturday, several roads around the stadium will be closed to traffic.
The PSP also advises against buying tickets from strangers near the venue to avoid scams and to be mindful of personal belongings carried or left in vehicles.
