The Chair of the Board of Directors of the Casa da Música Foundation, Isabel Furtado, announced in a press briefing that the upcoming 20th anniversary will be marked “not only with this exceptional musical offering but also with a diverse lineup that will include all styles of music.”
The month will kick off with a performance by The Legendary Tigerman on April 1, followed by a concert by Richard Galliano and his New York Tango Trio the next day.
On April 4, the Porto Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Martin André, will perform Tchaikovsky’s second piano concerto. The following day, pianist Alexander Malofeev will take the stage at Sala Suggia as part of the Casa’s Piano cycle.
On April 6, the Chorus of the University of Porto, conducted by Pedro Guedes Marques with guests Manel Cruz, Rui Spranger, and Sara Barros Leitão, will present “Heroicas,” historical resistance songs by composer Fernando Lopes-Graça (1906-1994). The day dedicated to the Portuguese composer will also feature a session with Rui Vieira Nery, a symposium, and a roundtable discussion.
Among other highlights is an Easter concert featuring the Sinfónica and the Coro Casa da Música with the Ensemble Vocal Pro Musica. They will perform Leos Janacek’s “Missa Glagolitica,” Anton Bruckner’s “Te Deum,” and a lied by Max Reger.
This month will also see performances from the Matosinhos Jazz Orchestra with Ana Lua Caiano, artist Afrodite Patoulidou with pianist Julius Drake, and the Warhaus project. One of the main attractions is a special edition of Clubbing, a former regular program of Casa da Música that opened the institution to various musical genres.
On April 30, the Clubbing anniversary will kick off with Carla Prata and Cíntia, continuing until 4:00 a.m. the following day, featuring Ece Canli, Desengaiola, Solar Corona Elektrische Maschine, Akila, Conferência Inferno, Daniel Wang, and Gusta-vo, among others.
“It is mainly Casa da Música inviting people to have fun, people are invited to come dance with us,” said programmer Fernando Sousa, highlighting that the 20 events of the evening will occupy spaces throughout Casa da Música, from the café to the restaurant.
When asked about a possible return of Clubbing, Casa da Música’s new Artistic Director, François Bou from France, said it is a possibility, but “it could be in a different format.”
“It might feature a more cross-sectional programming with other ensembles. It is a reference in the history of Casa da Música, and I think we need to revisit it,” Bou stated in Portuguese.
Family activities that have become a staple will continue throughout the month.
The construction of Casa da Música, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, began in 1999, and its official opening was on April 15, 2005.
