The stage is set for a meeting between two musical worlds, bound by history and a shared linguistic soul. Three musicians bring this encounter to life : the Brazilian singer Cecilia Pecanha, pianist Martin Salemi and multi-instrumentalist Rui Sladago. Cello, mandolin, cavaquinho, piano and a variety of smaller wood and metal instruments complete the musical landscape.

The evening begins in Rio de Janeiro. The Bossa Nova section (the term ’bossa nova’ means ’new wave’ or ’new trend’) brings a breath of fresh air into the room. The melodies focus on the beauty of everyday life – a quiet beach, a passing girl from Bahia, the simple joy of loving.

We then smoothly arrive in Lisbon. When the first notes of the guitar pierce the silence, the atmosphere shifts. The music is raw and filled with a sense of fate (the word ’fado’ itself means ’fate’ or ’destiny’). Then, without a pause, the mood subtly changes again. The rhythm shifts from dramatic intensity to a gentle, swaying groove. We cross the Atlantic once more and find ourselves back on the beaches of Rio.

As the concert reaches its climax, it becomes clear that these two musical styles are not opposites, but two sides of the same coin : one born on the Atlantic shores of Portugal, and the other in the vibrant tropical warmth of Brazil. By the time the final note fades, the audience is left suspended somewhere between two continents.

To prolong this wonderful Portuguese-Brazilian atmosphere, an after-concert cocktail, much appreciated by everyone, offers Portuguese wines and delicious traditional specialities.

A big thank you to the Portuguese Group of Femmes d’Europe for this beautiful evening !
Muito obrigada for this wonderful moment !

Katia Kamp
Multinational Group