Introduction

Bragança Classic Fest 2025
5th edition

In 2025, the year that marks its 5th edition, the Bragança Classic Fest International Music Festival continues its mission of providing democratic access to artistic excellence. Since 2021, the Festival has offered unforgettable, sold-out concerts to an enthusiastic and multigenerational audience, featuring some of the world’s finest orchestras – from Vienna, Paris, Saint Petersburg, Venice – along with renowned figures from the global music scene – Anna Samuil, Gérard Caussé, Diana Tischenko, Mario Hossen, Pascal Moraguès, Victor Julien-Laferrière, among others – as well as essential artists from the national music landscape – such as António Victorino d’Almeida, Pedro Caldeira Cabral, and Sete Lágrimas – and some of the most remarkable talents of the new generations.

From September 27 to October 11, Bragança once again becomes the epicenter of classical music with the 5th edition of Bragança Classic Fest, recognized both nationally and internationally as a landmark cultural event, celebrating musical excellence within the community and contributing to the vitality and development of a unique region, full of charm and potential.

One of the major new features of this edition is the decentralization of the program within the Municipality of Bragança: the Opening Concert will take place at the Basilica of Santo Cristo de Outeiro, a national monument since 1927 and the only Basilica located in a Portuguese village. On September 27, the prestigious ensemble Arte Minima, conducted by Pedro Sousa Silva, will present the program "The Golden Age of Portuguese Music", dedicated to composers from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Also for the first time, the Bragança Municipal Theatre will host three major orchestral concerts. Two of these will be performed by the Asturias Symphony Orchestra (OSPA), returning to the Festival after the great success of 2023. Under the direction of its principal conductor, Nuno Coelho, OSPA will be the protagonist of the World Music Day Concert on October 1, featuring the Overture to Mozart’s opera "The Magic Flute" and Beethoven’s famous "Eroica" Symphony – continuing the cycle of Beethoven’s symphonies begun in the Festival’s 3rd edition. On October 2, a program follows with two masterpieces of Romantic music: Schubert’s "Unfinished" Symphony and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto.

Another highly anticipated moment is the October 11 concert by the Philharmonia Frankfurt Orchestra, making its debut in Portugal, under the baton of maestro Juri Gilbo and featuring soloist Vladislav Lavrik – one of today’s greatest trumpet players – also making his debut in the country. A grand finale to the Festival.

Among the outstanding musicians of this edition are Swiss violinist Esther Hoppe, who will perform on her 1722 Stradivarius “De Ahna” violin, Norwegian violist Lars Anders Tomter, and Swiss cellist Christian Poltéra – featured in the concert by the acclaimed DSCH Shostakovich Ensemble on October 4.

The Festival further strengthens the dialogue between Music and Heritage – an important hallmark of Classic Fest since its first edition – with three concerts at the Church of São Francisco: on October 3, the ensemble L’Amoureux Empire (1st Prize in Baroque Music at the 2024 Young Musicians Prize) will present a concert dedicated to the Italian Baroque repertoire; on October 9, the Quartz Quintet, led by Bragança-born violinist David Seixas, will take the audience on a journey from Piazzolla to the 21st century; and on October 10, the Juventus Ensemble will perform a program featuring two chamber music masterpieces – Dvořák’s “American” Quartet and Schumann’s Quintet.

In parallel, the Bragança Classic Fest continues its educational mission, promoting masterclasses at the Bragança Regional Conservatory and open rehearsals at the Municipal Theatre, aimed at musicians and students from the region.

Special thanks go to all those who make the Bragança Classic Fest International Music Festival possible, starting with the Bragança City Council, Bragança Municipal Theatre, and DSCH Musical Association – promoters and organizers of this admirable initiative – and to the Festival's patron, BPI/"la Caixa" Foundation. We also thank the support of the Directorate-General for the Arts, the Diocese of Miranda-Bragança, media partner RTP Antena 2, and especially His Excellency the President of the Republic, for once again granting High Patronage.

Welcome to the 5th edition of the Bragança Classic Fest – a landmark cultural event that celebrates classical music with passion and excellence – from Bragança to the world!