An Afro-descendant man, born in Angola to Cape Verdean parents, has lived in Portugal for more than 40 years without obtaining Portuguese citizenship. He is the central figure of the opera, representing “thousands of people left on the margins of the system,” according to the presentation text of “Adilson”.
Described as being called D’Afonsa by friends, Nuno by family, and Adilson on his passport, his life unfolds amidst waiting rooms, delayed processes, and a bureaucratic maze that prevents him from being fully recognized by the country he has always lived in, the text states.
Directed by Dino D’Santiago, the five-act opera is performed at the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB). It is based on ‘Serviço Estrangeiro’, a text by playwright and director Rui Catalão, and features musical direction by conductor Martim Sousa Tavares.
In addition to creating, directing, and being responsible for the libretto and dramaturgy of ‘Adilson’, Dino D’Santiago also handled composition and musical production, in partnership with guitarist Djodje Almeida.
‘Adilson’ features performances by Michelle Mara, Cati, NBC, Soraia Morais, Koffy, Rebeca Reinaldo, and Rúben Gomes.
In his first opera, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the independence of former Portuguese colonies in Africa, Dino D’Santiago addresses themes such as “social injustice, discrimination, human fragility, and hope”.
Like the central character of ‘Adilson’, Dino D’Santiago is also the son of Cape Verdean immigrants but was born in Portugal, specifically in Quarteira, a town in the municipality of Loulé, in December 1982.
Dino D’Santiago grew up in the Bairro dos Pescadores in that Algarve town, where he began his connection to music, first as a member of the local church choir and later as a composer, creating his own songs in rap performances.
Like many other Portuguese musicians, Dino D’Santiago participated in a television talent show, ‘Operação Triunfo’, in 2003, where he showcased his original music.
He was subsequently involved in projects combining soul, hip-hop, and R&B, such as Dino & The SoulMotion, Nu Soul Family, and Expensive, collaborating with musicians like Virgul, Sam The Kid, Tito Paris, Valete, and Pacman.
His first album as Dino D’Santiago, ‘Eva’, was released in 2013.
This was followed by ‘Mundu Nôbu’ (2018), ‘Kriola’ (2020), and ‘Badiu’ (2021).
In October of this year, he is set to publish his first book, ‘Cicatrizes’.
In addition to today, there will be two more performances of the opera ‘Adilson’ at the Centro Cultural de Belém, on Saturday and Sunday.
The premiere of ‘Adilson’ occurs as part of the BoCA — Biennale of Contemporary Arts 2025, which began on Wednesday and runs through October 26 in Lisbon and Madrid.
This year’s edition of the biennale takes place under the theme ‘Camino Irreal’, with curation by program director John Romão, who was selected in April as the artistic director for Évora – European Capital of Culture 2027.
After its premiere in Lisbon, ‘Adilson’ will be performed in Braga on September 19 at Theatro Circo, in Faro on October 25 at Teatro das Figuras, and in Aveiro on November 7 at Teatro Aveirense.
