Circus and Opera are on the menu for Coliseu Porto Ageas New Season

Coliseu Porto Ageas New Season features a uniquely diverse programme spanning International Circus Festival, a Fall Concert by Mário Laginha on the piano and Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, the opera La Traviata, the traditional Christmas Circus, contemporary performances, ballets and concerts.

There is something on for everyone, all ages and tastes. A whole world of circus, music, dance, theatre, and more on stage at Coliseu Porto Ageas arena.

The starting moment of the New Season is just around the corner, on 13 September, with "Speakeasy" by The Rat Pack, for the first time in Portugal, in the context of Porto International Circus Festival, running in Porto from 13 to 16 September.

"Speakeasy" was the name used for the Prohibition-era clandestine bars in the United States, selling illicit alcoholic beverages. It echoes of gangster films set in dismal places shut up from the open light, bleak atmospheres and dark smoky clubs. This performance is a theatrical experience involving The Rat Pack acrobats, a mix of circus skills, dance, narrative theatre with a truly original soundtrack by the Chinese Man band, an eclectic show to be discovered just like a high energy action movie.

Porto International Circus Festival offers about 44 free shows and experiences in five stages all across town.

A week later, on 22 September, the Main Room stage will be filled with violins, cellos, trumpets, flutes and double bass by the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, conducted by maestro Pedro Amaral. A very special guest will be on the piano, Mário Laginha, renowned pianist and composer.

This Fall Concert welcomes the New Season with an outstanding repertoire; the Firebird by Igor Stravinsky, "Rhapsody in Blue", by Gershwin, and Dvorak's In nature's realm ouverture op 91, a joint production between Coliseu Porto Ageas and Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, with the support of Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto.

Welcome to opera at Coliseu Porto Ageas, one of the most important performances supported by Coliseu, which is back in Porto on 20th October, featuring La Traviata, an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. Russian soprano Ekaterina Bakanova in the role of Violetta Valéry, Portuguese tenor Luís Gomes will be Alfredo Germont.

"La Traviata" will be conducted by Milanese maestro Michele Gamba. Venetian Massimo Gasparon will be in charge of stage production and light design.

Highly reputed opera stage director Pier Luigi Pizzi, who has worked with Giorgio Strehler, will be responsible for staging, set design, and costumes.

The first significant moment of the partnership between São Carlos Theatre and Coliseu Porto Ageas happened last October, with the staged concert "Turandot", by Giacomo Puccini.

When December comes, as is tradition, the arena for some of the finest circus artists will be in place at the Coliseu.

Christmas Circus will embellish the Nativity in Porto, something that happens in Porto since 1941, the year Coliseu opened.

The circus activities is own programmed by Coliseu Porto Ageas, and the grand premiere will take place on 14th December. It will run till 1st January. Over 40 performances will be delivered to all crowds in town. What a merry way to celebrate Xmas!

The activities programme will be announced shortly and tickets will be listed for sale.

Coliseu Porto Ageas offers an array of events from various cultural agents making Coliseu the concert room for all.

See here for more info.