Cistermúsica: a Timeless edition

After yet another distinction, this time at the Iberian Festival Awards, Cistermúsica is presenting its 32nd edition, which will take place between 28 June and 3 August 2024. The programme includes more than 40 concerts under the motto "Timeless", reflecting the undeniable universal dimension of music, which is reflected not only in the quality and diversity of the groups and artists, but also in the contrast of styles that contribute to the richness of the programme.

As usual, the Alcobaça Music Festival marks the year's unavoidable musical ephemeris: in 2024 we will honour the 100th anniversary of the birth of Joly Braga Santos, the 150th anniversary of G. Holst and Schoenberg, the 200th anniversary of Anton Bruckner and the 100th anniversary of the deaths of G. Puccini and G. Fauré.

It is precisely Fauré's famous "Requiem" that opens the programme on 28 June, with a concert in the Church of the Monastery of Alcobaça that brings together the Melleo Harmonia Orchestra and the Ricercare Choir, under the musical direction of Joaquim Ribeiro, and two renowned voices: soprano Patrycja Gabrel (Poland) and baritone André Baleiro.

This edition of the festival will place special emphasis on the theme of "Freedom", with programmes such as the ballet "Requiem - the only censorship that should exist is censoring censorship", by the Dança em Diálogos company, the concert by the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, which opens the Cerca stage with "Music and Revolution", or that of the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, also dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the 25 April Revolution.

Between recitals, vocal ensembles and instrumental groups, Cistermúsica also presents two more major symphonic concerts, one by the Orquestra XXI and the other by the Alto Minho Youth Orchestra, so the festival will continue to feature renowned national orchestras.

"Female Music", the artistic commitment defined for the 2023/26 programming cycle, also extends over several programmes, showcasing leading female performers and composers.

Without losing its focus on classical music, Cistermúsica continues to focus on the transversality of its programme in order to reach different types of audiences through a diversity of styles such as jazz, bossa nova and world music. The Wood stage, an out-of-doors space open to the city and in a more relaxed atmosphere than that usually found in conventional concert halls, is also being used.

These are some of the programmes that, by transcending the barriers of time, reflect a unique artistic diversity and respond to the desires of Cistermúsica spectators, who between June and August can always count on exciting experiences in the scenic and unique context of the Monastery of Alcobaça.

Organised by ABA - Banda de Alcobaça, Associação de Artes, Cistermúsica has the support of the Ministry of Culture/DGArtes, the strategic partnership of the Municipality of Alcobaça, the institutional partnership of the Monastery of Alcobaça/Museums and Monuments of Portugal, and Fundation “la Caixa” in collaboration with BPI is the Festival's patron.