Cristina Branco, guitarist Bernardo Couto, and the French Ensemble Des Équilibres, a string quartet led by violinist Agnès Pyka, have joined forces in the project “Fado em Movimento.” The premise explores the universe of fado in dialogue with other musical genres, based on original compositions by Florentine Mulsant, Anne Victorino d’Almeida, and Fátima Fonte, with texts by Gonçalo M. Tavares. The project, resulting from artistic residencies at Casa da Música, ESMAE in Porto, and La Ferme du Buisson Cultural Centre in France, returns to the stage today for the first of five dates in France. After Bourges on January 6, it continues to Metz on January 10, Pontault-Combault on January 13, Sault on January 15, and Avignon on January 16.
With an unparalleled passion for traditional fado, Branco pays a heartfelt tribute to the musical genre in “Mãe,” her 18th album of original songs, in which she lends her singular and expressive voice to a variety of composers. Since 2023, both on record and live, “Mãe” has offered national and international audiences an original repertoire that takes listeners on an immersive journey of rediscovering fado, exploring its emotional depths and subtle nuances. From January 24 to 31, accompanied on stage by Bernardo Couto on Portuguese guitar, Bernardo Moreira on double bass, and Luís Figueiredo on piano, Branco returns to Germany with these songs, following warmly received performances in previous years, performing in Dreieich on January 24, Karlsruhe on January 25, Freiburg on January 27, Bremen on January 28, Wilhelmshaven on January 29, and Potsdam on January 31. On February 6, Brussels, Belgium, will host this show. On March 25, Branco begins an eight-concert tour in the Netherlands, starting in IJmuiden, returning to the country where her nearly 30-year career began, also performing in Tilburg on March 26, Middelburg on March 28, and Den Haag on March 31. In April, Breda on April 2, Eindhoven on April 3, Groningen on April 4, and Utrecht on April 5 will have the opportunity to experience the essence of “Mãe.”
On March 19, fado meets jazz in Horsens for the first of two concerts in Denmark. Branco takes the stage at Horsens Ny Teater, accompanied by the vibrant DR Big Band and pianist-composer Mário Laginha. The intense emotions of fado and the lively energy of jazz merge into a concert experience full of passion, intimacy, and high artistic quality. The evening’s musical program was conceived by Laginha, blending the melancholy and depth of fado with the dynamic sound of a big band. The musician himself will be at the piano, leading the orchestra through a unique and moving repertoire. On March 22, the DR Koncerthuset in Copenhagen will host this performance.
Tour Dates:
“Fado em Movimento”:
January 6 – Bourges, France
January 10 – Metz, France
January 13 – Pontault-Combault, France
January 15 – Sault, France
January 16 – Avignon, France
“Mãe”:
January 24 – Dreieich, Germany
January 25 – Karlsruhe, Germany
January 27 – Freiburg, Germany
January 28 – Bremen, Germany
January 29 – Wilhelmshaven, Germany
January 31 – Potsdam, Germany
February 6 – Brussels, Belgium
March 25 – IJmuiden, Netherlands
March 26 – Tilburg, Netherlands
March 28 – Middelburg, Netherlands
March 31 – Den Haag, Netherlands
April 2 – Breda, Netherlands
April 3 – Eindhoven, Netherlands
April 4 – Groningen, Netherlands
April 5 – Utrecht, Netherlands
Fado Meets Jazz:
March 19 – Horsens Ny Teater, Horsens, Denmark
March 22 – DR Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, Denmark