Cistermúsica Sacra

Presentation

Cistermúsica Sacra seeks to bring to the Alcobaça region, so rich in religious heritage, a programme of training in sacred choral music during Lent and Easter. In this fourth edition, Pedro Teixeira and Tiago Morin are once again in charge of artistic direction, having chosen the theme “Polyphony and Counter-Reformation: a soundscape for Passion Week” for the Advanced Polyphonic Music Workshop. The Liturgical Music Workshop “Sounds of Celebration” will prepare the Mass for the Third Sunday of Easter.

The event, scheduled between 22 March and 19 April, is divided into two periods of training and public presentation — Advanced Workshop and Liturgical Workshop. In partnership with local parishes, this event is aimed at both higher education students and professional musicians, as well as the local population, creating an innovative interaction at the national level by allowing participants in the Liturgical Workshop to attend the Advanced Workshop and vice versa.

The project will begin with the Advanced Workshop “Polyphony and Counter-Reformation: a soundscape for Passion Week”, aimed at advanced students and choir members, led by renowned choir director Francisco Ruiz Montes. The course also includes the advanced workshop “Organ singing versus counterpoint: an introduction to 16th-century polyphonic improvisation practices”, led by the same instructor. The results of the activity will be presented in a concert for the general public, to be held at the Monastery of Alcobaça.

Next is the Liturgical Music Workshop “Sounds of Celebration”, aimed at the local community of liturgical choir singers, led by choir director Paula Pereira, who has extensive knowledge and liturgical practice. The result of the work with the liturgical group will be presented at the Mass on the Third Sunday of Easter at the parish of Bárrio.

Focusing on the different performance levels of Cistermúsica Sacra, three concerts will be offered to the community and all participants in the training programmes. The opening concert will be performed by the São Tomás de Aquino Ensemble and the Regina Coeli Choir, who will join Cistermúsica Sacra to celebrate their anniversaries of one and six decades of activity, respectively. At the Monastery of Alcobaça, works by Antonio Lotti, Domenico Scarlatti and João Rodrigues Esteves will be performed, featuring soloists from the São Tomás de Aquino Ensemble, accompanied by a basso continuo trio. The professional choir, Salix Cantor, will present the programme “Requiem for an Empress” at the Monastery of Cós, with music by Tomás Luis de Victoria and Cristóbal de Morales. The Ensembl'ando Choir will present the programme “Sounds of Light: a musical stained-glass window of Easter” at the Parish Church of São Gregório Magno, in Bárrio — an eclectic concert with works spanning different eras, styles and geographies. With the exception of the opening concert, all concerts have free admission.

Registration form ›

Consult the Cistermúsica Sacra 2026 Regulations › 

Note: Registration form and regulation available in Portuguese only.

Cistermúsica Sacra 2025 Aftermovie