About Cistermúsica
A classic for all
OF BEETHOVEN AND OTHER WORLDS
In its 2020 Edition Cistermúsica Festival embarks on a musical voyage characterized by the continuation of the 500 years celebrations of the Circumnavigation of the Globe and by the 250th Beethoven birthday.
Wishing to share a message of hope and trust, all the programme is adapted to a new reality, always maintaining as principal stage the unique monumental environment of the Alcobaça Monastery and following three different routes. Musical proposals cover from Portuguese polyphony golden age, interpreted by the Ensemble São Tomás de Aquino, to a very exclusive version of Pergolesi Stabat Mater, performed by an upscale trio: accordionist João Barradas and singers Bárbara Barradas and Cátia Moreso.
Based on the idea of Diaspora, the programme also replicates the lusophone Circumnavigation: Sete Lágrimas will donate to our ears several Portuguese musical influences from all over the world, while Músicos do Tejo, with fado-singer Ricardo Ribeiro and soprano Ana Quintans will carry us “From Baroque to Fado”, showing Portuguese music identity in all its diversity, from Cantigas de Santa Maria to Fado, passing by baroque and tropical influences.
Regarding baroque and the sea legacy, La Nave Va orchestra, with the tenor and baroque singer Marcel Beekman, will perform a repertoire coming from Portugal and Spain that evokes a strong sea presence.
Piano solo music, cello and piano duet, string quartet and symphonic orchestra concerts will celebrate Beethoven that, with his art and thinking, was a true constructor of bridges between people and cultures as well as a symbol of European identity. It seems a perfect combination for a Festival that will also celebrate the circumnavigation adventure, a way to "show worlds to the World", quoting Camões, in a state of mind that Portuguese can feel in diaspora music and their roots.
Finally, through the exploration of different artistic dimensions, this edition will also represent an other-seas sailing. Two examples: Carl Orff “Carmina Burana” contemporary dance and video mapping performance, starring by Vortice Dance Company and presented as Livestream event at Cistermúsica site, and the Postcard Brass Band jazz quartet, proposing New Orleans traditional jazz, but also different styles and musical languages.
André Cunha Leal e Rui Morais
Artistic Direction
The history of the festival
Cistermúsica - Alcobaça Music Festival started in 1992 with the organization of the Alcobaça municipality. Since 2002 the Festival is organized by the Alcobaça Band and produced by the Alcobaça Music Academy, with the institutional support of the Alcobaça City Hall and the Directorate-General of Arts (DGARTES).
Every year the Festival brings the best national and international musicians and dancers to the stages of its region. The Alcobaça Monastery, World Heritage Site, with the diversity of spaces that it offers, is one of its privileged location, as well as other stages of Alcobaça and its region, in a perfect union of music and dance with the historical heritage.
Cistermúsica has the mission to offer a decentralized, accessible and excellent program, promoting the heritage and so contributing for the touristic and cultural development of the region.
The Festival is “A Classic for Everyone”, like its motto says, more and more devoted to children, youths and families with the Junior and Families Section along with Off Section. So, it follows the interest of a diversified cultural offer, always appropriate to the formation of new audiences and to raise awareness of the need to study and promote arts.
Since 2015 the Festival has gained a National dimension, integrating several of its events throughout the edified heritage of the Cistercian Route and also in other cities that share the politics of the cultural decentralization on a regional scale.
Edition after edition, Cistermúsica is proud of giving the stage to music, offering memorable sound and artistic experiences.
Previous editions
Organization and Production
Organization
Production
