About Cistermúsica
A classic for all... all year long
From 27 June to 2 August, a festival that is ‘A Classic for ALL’ on a secular and unique stage: the Monastery of Alcobaça
On its way to its 33rd edition, the Alcobaça Music Festival - which enjoys renewed support from the renewed support from the ‘la Caixa’ Foundation, in collaboration with BPI - is presented under the motto ‘Variations, Impressions and Illusions’.
Anticipating a programme of more than 50 concerts, in 2025 Cistermúsica will mark unmissable musical ephemeris that span centuries of history and a great diversity of styles. Among other milestones, we will be celebrating 500 years of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), one of the greatest representatives of the Renaissance, passing through the striking modernism of Shostakovich, on the 50th anniversary of his death, to the musical impressionism of Ravel.
It is precisely around Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), marking the 150th anniversary of his of his birth, that much of this edition's programme revolves around, reflecting the multiple multiple ‘Impressions’ of his legacy, which will be commemorated in different formats and artistic expressions. Ravel will be heard in various symphonic and chamber music concerts - with works such as Daphnis et Chloé, Pavane pour une infante défunte, La Valse, Piano Concerto in G major, String Quartet in F major, Ma Mère l'Oye, Le Tombeau de Couperin and, of course, the unmissable Bolero. And he will also be celebrated in Maurice Accompagné, a ballet that combines the sophisticated music of Ravel with the modernism of Luís de Freitas Branco.
Also in the spotlight will be Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), in programmes that include that include works such as the 5th Symphony, by the Orquestra XXI or the Concerto for Cello Concerto N.º 1 by the Young Portuguese Orchestra, with soloist Pavel Gomziakov.
In this edition, the festival reaffirms its commitment to Music by Women, giving visibility to the repertoire of female composers such as Andreia Pinto Correia (1971-) and giving the stage to excellent performers such as soprano Carla Caramujo and pianist Mariamna Sherling, winner of the Santa Cecília International Competition 2023, soloists in concerts with the Ensemble Mediterrain and Orquestra Philharmonic Orchestra, respectively.
In fact, the promotion of emerging talent continues to be a focus of Cistermúsica, hosting orchestras dedicated to the training and experience of young musicians, such as the Orquestra XXI, the JOP and the Baltimore Youth Orchestra, and ensembles such as the the MAAT Saxophone Quartet and the Tágide Quartet, both winners of the Young Musicians Award. This, alongside established names such as La Grande Chapelle or the pianist Pedro Burmester, who will be playing the Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach's ‘Goldberg Variations’, in what will be a first for the festival.
From intimate programmes, in spaces of great architectural beauty, to major concerts in the Church and the Fence, the 33rd edition reaffirms the Monastery of Alcobaça Monastery as a place of pilgrimage for music lovers, the ability to unite different audiences and artistic expressions, crossing genres, eras and formats.
The Artistic Committee
The history of Cistermúsica
For more than three decades and under the motto "A classic for all", the Cistermúsica - Alcobaça Music Festival has presented a reference programme, welcoming the most renowned artists and music ensembles in some of the most emblematic locations of our historical heritage.
With the Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO heritage site since 1989, as its privileged venue, the Festival was launched in 1992 on the initiative of Alcobaça City Council, and since 2002 has been organised by ABA - Banda de Alcobaça, Associação de Artes, with the institutional support of the Municipality.
The Cistermúsica programme reaches its peak during the summer, with the Festival, but today the Cistermúsica season offers programming throughout the year, including cycles such as Cistermúsica Sacra, in the Easter period, and Fronteiras, dedicated to contemporary music, in the last quarter of the year.
The circulation of programmes in the territory has also been increasing, with a pioneering stance in establishing cultural programming networks, whether through the Cistercian Route or the Cistermúsica Networks.
Over the last three decades, Cistermúsica has become one of the most important programming structures in Portugal, standing out on the Iberian cultural scene with a recognised contribution to cultural and tourist development.
Among the recognitions and distinctions, we highlight the High Patronage of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic awarded since 2019 and the admission, that same year, as a member of the European Festivals Association, the oldest and most important platform for art festivals in Europe.
Previous editions
Organization and Production
