Classical Music Is Coming to Monte da Estrada!
On August 22 and 23, the Monte da Estrada School will host two unique classical music events: a piano recital by Portuguese pianist António Areal; and, in its Portuguese premiere, the “Cantos Ibéricos” concert featuring Portuguese mezzo-soprano Helena Ressurreição, accompanied by Argentine guitarist Bernardo Rimbaud.
Titled “Classics on the Hill,” the event—organized by the Association of the Former Monte da Estrada School—aims to bring classical music to sparsely populated areas, promote inclusion and access to culture, engage local schools and young musicians, create new cultural and rural tourism circuits, and highlight natural spaces and historical heritage through sustainable concerts.
The weekend dedicated to classical music kicks off on Saturday, the 22nd, at 6:30 p.m., with a recital by António Areal, a young, award-winning pianist who has distinguished himself through his sensitivity and interpretive maturity in the many recitals he has performed in Portugal and Spain.
On Sunday, at the same time, “Cantos Ibéricos” will make its debut, featuring mezzo-soprano Helena Ressurreição accompanied by Bernardo Rambeaud on guitar. They will bring to Monte da Estrada a program that “explores the musical roots of the Iberian Peninsula, blending folk tradition with the language of classical music,” combining Spanish folk songs, poems set to music by Fernando Pessoa, and a selection of fados.
A native of Barcelos, Helena Ressurreição is described as a “magnetic” singer with an extensive resume of national and international concerts and recorded albums.
Argentine Bernardo Rimbaud is a classical guitarist and composer who specializes in vocal repertoire and chamber music, with an extensive history of performances at international festivals and collaborations with various singer-songwriters.
Admission to the concerts is free.
The “Clássicos do Monte” is supported by the Odemira municipal government through the Odemira Criativa Program and the Relíquias Parish Council, and is sponsored by Figueirinha Ecoturismo and Café Seara.
