Porto Pianofest kicks off with eight hours of music at Mercado do Bolhão

From 1 to 11 August, Porto Pianofest brings classical music closer to the general public with concerts in emblematic venues in Porto, Vila Nova de Famalicão and Matosinhos. With free admission, the pre-opening ceremony takes place at Mercado do Bolhão on 30 July, with a piano performances marathon.

The 9th edition of Porto Pianofest includes 11 days of jazz, literature by the piano, a concert for families and what has become a tradition in the pre-opening of the festival: a free-admission music marathon.

For the second consecutive year, the stage chosen for eight hours of music and piano sharing is Mercado do Bolhão. On 30 July, starting at 11 a.m., renowned musicians, students and music enthusiasts come together for consecutive performances on the piano installed next to the Rua Formosa entrance.

The festival continues on other stages in the city. On 1 August, the first concert of the programme brings a première to Porto: saxophonist Yosvany Terry brings the rhythms of Afro-Cuban jazz to Casa da Música, accompanied by an international quartet of musicians.

The following day, in the panoramic courtyard of the Guerra Junqueiro House-Museum, the 'Projeto Mensagem' (Mensagem Project), which results from a reinterpretation of Portuguese poems created by four composers, will be presented for the first time in Portugal.

Poetry by the piano

The words of Fernando Pessoa, Sophia de Mello Breyner, Eugénio de Andrade, Pedro Mexia and Camões, as well as anthems of the 25th of April revolution, such as Grândola Vila Morena, will be brought back to life in the voice of soprano Lara Martins and pianist Nuno Marques, who is also the director of the Porto Pianofest.

'Our mission is to bring classical music to everyone with each edition, transforming the most beautiful venues in the city of Porto into the stage for this open and inclusive dialogue with the public. With yet another series of carefully prepared performances, we believe that the 9th edition of Porto Pianofest has everything it takes to continue the strong growth in audiences that we have experienced over the last few years', Nuno Marques, director of Porto Pianofest, antecipates.

On the first weekend of the festival, there will be a concert for families, but also some of the most eagerly awaited performances of Porto Pianofest, taking place at the Rectory of the University of Porto. Spanish pianist José Ramón Mendez will be playing on 3 August and, the following day, Trio Pangea will perform works by Portuguese composers on the piano, violin and cello.

Programme ends at Famalicão

The programme also includes free admission performances at the Romanticism Extension and concerts at the Centro de Alto Rendimento Artístico (CARA) in Matosinhos, resulting from the Artistic Residencies created by the festival.

On 10 August, the closing concert in Porto will feature Swiss pianist and composer Beatrice Berrut, in a magical concert that will take you to a world of fantasy and colour, matching the stage chosen for the show: the Arabian Room of Palácio da Bolsa. Finally, on 11 August, Porto Pianofest leaves for a final concert at the Cupertino de Miranda Foundation in Vila Nova de Famalicão.

The full programme and tickets are available online.