Nona De Beethoven – Teatro Tivoli BBVA, Lisbon

About this event

This concert marks the 40 Years of Portugal in the EU within the Festival Estoril Lisboa. Two contemporary Portugal-themed works are paired with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, creating a dialogue between national poetic tradition and the pan‑European ideal embodied by the Ode to Joy. Beethoven’s Ninth carries special European significance as the anthem of the Council of Europe (1972) and of the European Union (1985), making its performance especially symbolic in this context. Eurico Carrapatoso’s The Heather Song pays homage to Miguel Torga, while Alexei Tolpygo’s Three Portuguese Poems, a world premiere, sets texts by Florbela Espanca, Álvaro de Campos, and Mário de Sá‑Carneiro. The Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra is led by Pedro Neves, with the Metropolitana’s Participatory Choir prepared by Filipa Palhares, and vocal soloists for the choral finale.