The festival, which began in 2021 at the Municipal Theatre of Bragança and included performances in churches throughout the city, continues to “reaffirm Bragança as an excellent cultural destination,” attracting audiences from other countries, according to the organizers.
This edition will, for the first time, host its opening concert in a village. In Outeiro, the Basilica of Santo Cristo, designated a national monument in 1927, will host the Arte Minima ensemble under the direction of Pedro Sousa Silva.
“The audience will feel that it is more than just a concert; there is a significant focus on these unjustly forgotten communities that lack access to high-quality events,” stated artistic director Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro.
Bragança Classicfest will feature a total of eight concerts, one of which will be held at the basilica, with the remaining performances taking place at the Municipal Theatre of Bragança and the Convent of São Francisco. The lineup includes the Asturias Symphony Orchestra, “one of the most prominent Spanish ensembles,” with Portuguese conductor Nuno Coelho, and the Philharmonia Frankfurt making its “debut in Portugal,” with conductor Juri Gilbo and soloist Vladislav Lavrik, “one of the greatest trumpet players of today.”
According to Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro, all festival performances are unique, which means “the orchestras are coming to Bragança specifically to perform,” making it “very special.”
Five of the concerts, including the opening and October 1st, World Music Day, will have free entry. “It is related to the public service of culture, as the mission of a municipal theatre is to introduce new artists and host established tours, but also to enable everyone to attend the theatre, not just the so-called elites,” emphasized the director of the Municipal Theatre of Bragança, explaining that tickets must be picked up at the box office to control seating.
João Cristiano Cunha reported that the occupancy rate of performances in previous editions was around 96%, attracting audiences from the region, the country, and abroad. “We see audiences from Spain, as well as from Italy, France, and Germany, who follow classical music artists and take the opportunity to engage in cultural tourism and discover a new country,” he added.
This fifth edition will also feature “Swiss violinist Esther Hoppe, Norwegian violist Lars Anders Tomter, and Swiss cellist Christian Poltéra,” as well as local talents like Bragança violinist David Seixas.
In addition to concerts for all audiences, Bragança Classicfest also offers ‘masterclasses’ for music students from the region.
