The lineup for Theatro Circo’s early 2026 season features “unique performances” by flamenco guitarist Yeari Cortés, singer A Garota Não, and musician Luca Argel, along with the return of multidisciplinary artist Nina Laisné.
The schedule also includes works by Cristina Carvalhal, such as ‘O Nariz de Cleópatra, pois claro!,’ and Sara Inês Gigante’s ‘Popular.’ Performances by dancer Lander Patrick in ‘WonderLandi,’ alongside singers Diamanda Galás, Dora Morelenbaum, Tortoise, fado singer Ricardo Ribeiro, and soprano Elisabete Matos are highlighted.
While music takes center stage in Theatro Circo’s early 2026 offerings, the year kicks off with Performing Arts. Rodrigues Theatre’s play ‘Catarina e a Beleza de Matar Fascistas’ is scheduled for January 6 and 7, with shows already sold out.
Cristina Carvalhal presents the comedy ‘O Nariz de Cleópatra, pois claro!’ on February 13, a co-production between Causas Comuns and Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, based on Augusto Abelaira’s theatrical text ‘O Nariz de Cleópatra.’
On February 27, Lander Patrick of Jonas&Lander presents ‘WonderLandi,’ described as “a choreographic creation focused on the unifying power of music and its uses by political powers and institutions.”
Sara Inês Gigante presents ‘Popular’ on March 27 as “a challenge-performance, stemming from the autofiction of the creator and performer aiming to be a popular artist, challenging cultural and popular universe standards.”
Roxana Ionesco presents ‘Capra — or how to say hello to fiar’ on April 17, inspired by an ancient pagan tradition within Romanian and Moldovan collective memory — the New Year’s Eve goat. On April 24, Nina Laisné brings ‘Como una baguala oscura,’ a show blending dance and music, “celebrating Argentine pianist and composer Hilda Herrera, a seminal figure in her country’s folklore.”
In the Music realm, Noiserv unveils his new album ‘7305’ on January 24, and on January 31, musician serge fritz showcases the outcome of his artistic residency at Theatro Circo.
February performances include Diamanda Galás on the 14th, Ricardo Ribeiro showcasing his new album on the 21st, and Luca Argel presenting ‘O Homem Triste’ on the 28th, with guest Moreno Veloso, the album’s producer.
In March, the Chamber Music Cycle of the University of Minho takes place on March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. Flamenco guitarist Yerai Cortés presents the project ‘Guitarra Coral’ on the 21st, while Dora Morelenbaum (Bala Desejo) debuts her first solo album ‘Pique’ on the 28th.
In conjunction with Yerai Cortés’s performance, the documentary ‘La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés’ by musician and director Antón Álvarez, known as C. Tangana, is screened on March 17.
Theatro Circo marks its 111th anniversary in April with three performances: Elisabete Matos on April 18, Tortoise on April 19, and A Garota Não on April 21, the anniversary night. ‘A Vulgar Mulher Extraordinária’ premieres in Lisbon at Centro Cultural de Belém in March.
From January through April, another edition of the Contraponto cycle, dedicated to 20th and 21st-century compositions, unfolds. On January 10, the Orquestra do Norte plays works by Stravinsky, Edgard Varèse, and Luís Tinoco. On March 7, ars ad hoc and soprano Ana Caseiro offer “a new reading” of ‘Pierrot Lunaire, op. 21’ by Arnold Schoenberg. On April 11, violinist and Artistic Director Rakhi Singh joins the Sinfonietta de Braga to perform ‘Canticles of the Sky’ by John Luther Adams and Henryk Górecki’s String Quartet No. 2 ‘Quasi una fantasia.’
The younger audience’s program begins in January with ‘E as flores?’ by pianist Joana Gama on January 23 and 24. February features ‘ORU KAMI,’ a “musical experience” by GariBambi, and ‘O Paraíso São os Outros,’ a play by Nídia Roque (Teatro da Cidade) with text by Valter Hugo Mãe.
March sees the debut of ‘Lenda de Miragaya…um teatro de fingir’ by Confederação — a theatrical research collective. April offers a storytelling session ‘Histórias de Sonho’ by actress Sofia Vieira.
Theatro Circo’s program for the first four months of 2026, available on the institution’s official website, also includes talks, debates, and workshops.
