From the 1st to the 11th of August, Porto Pianofest brings classical music closer to the general public with concerts in emblematic venues in Porto, Famalicão and Matosinhos.
The program begins with Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry, at Casa da Música, and “Projeto Mensagem” performing poems by Portuguese authors on piano and voice. The pre-opening takes place at Mercado do Bolhão, on July 30th, with a marathon of piano performances with free entry.
The start of the 9th edition of Porto Pianofest makes the festival’s mission clear: to bring classical music to new audiences, extending it to various stages in the city, some outdoors, with different themes and concert formats. In the first of the 11 days of the festival, there is jazz, literature at the piano, a concert for families and what has become a tradition in the pre-opening of Porto Pianofest: a musical marathon with free entry.
For the second year in a row, the stage chosen for eight hours of pure music and sharing at the piano is the emblematic Mercado do Bolhão. On July 30th, from 11 am, renowned musicians, students and music enthusiasts come together in consecutive performances on the piano installed next to the entrance to Rua Formosa.
On August 1st, the first concert on the program brings a debut to Porto: saxophonist Yosvany Terry echoes the rhythms of Afro-Cuban jazz in the Casa da Música, accompanied by an international quartet of musicians.
The following day, in the panoramic Pátio da Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro, the “Message Project” will be presented, for the first time in Portugal, which results from a reinterpretation of Portuguese poems created by four composers. The words of Fernando Pessoa, Sophia de Mello Breyner, Eugénio de Andrade, Pedro Mexia and Camões, as well as hymns from the 25th of April, such as Grândola Vila Morena, will gain new life with the voice of soprano Lara Martins and pianist Nuno Marques, also director of Porto Pianofest.
“With each edition, our mission is to bring classical music to everyone, making the most beautiful rooms in the city of Porto the stage for this open and inclusive dialogue with the public. With another series of carefully prepared presentations, we believe that the 9th edition of Porto Pianofest has everything to continue the strong growth in attendance that we have experienced over the last few years”, anticipates Nuno Marques, Director of Porto Pianofest.
On the first weekend of the festival, there is a concert for families (3 August, Casa Comum), but also some of the most anticipated performances at Porto Pianofest, taking place at the Rectory of the University of Porto. Spanish pianist José Ramón Mendez performs on August 3 and, the following day, Trio Pangea presents works by Portuguese composers performed on piano, violin and cello.
The program also includes performances with free entry at the Museum of the Romantic and concerts at the Centro de Alto Rendimento Artístico (CARA) in Matosinhos, which result from the Artistic Residencies created by the festival.
On August 10th, the closing concert in Porto sees Swiss pianist and composer Beatrice Berrut make her debut in Portugal, in a magical concert that will take us to a world of fantasy and colour, matching the stage chosen for the show: the Arab Room of the Palácio da Bolsa. Finally, on August 11th, Porto Pianofest leaves for a final concert at Fundação Cupertino de Miranda, in Vila Nova de Famalicão.
The complete program and tickets for the 9th edition of Porto Pianofest, which has the support of Turismo de Portugal, are available online. For this year, packs were created that allow access to various concerts, according to three themes: great piano masters, interaction between piano and other instruments and emblematic places in the city of Porto.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.
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