Musethica Returns to Porto

From May 4th-8th, 2026, the School of Music and Performing Arts (ESMAE) hosted the second Porto edition of the European project “1000+ Concerts: Innovating Higher Music Education through Social Inclusion”. Following the Musethica methodology, the Allegro Quintet - Joana Bezerra (flute), Catarina Farias (oboe), Luísa Magalhães (horn), João Fontão (bassoon), and Gonçalo Pinto (clarinet) - brought classical music to a diverse range of social and community institutions across the Porto region.

Over five days, the ensemble performed at the Porto Prison Establishment, the Santo António Youth Educational Centre, SOS Children’s Villages, Conde Ferreira Hospital, Santa Maria Hospital, the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, the Portuguese Cancer League Day Centre, the S. Lázaro Residential Care Facility for Older People, and two rehabilitation units of the Porto Association for Cerebral Palsy (APPC). These performances reached audiences who often have limited access to live cultural experiences, creating meaningful moments of connection, dialogue, and shared humanity through music.

The residency was guided by bassoonist and ESMAE professor Pedro Silva, who provided artistic and pedagogical mentorship throughout the week. Through an intensive schedule of performances in social contexts, the musicians strengthened both their artistic skills and their understanding of music’s social role.

A highlight of the week was the concert held at ESMAE on May 7th, where the Allegro Quintet presented a programme featuring works by György Ligeti, Giuseppe Maria Cambini, and Carl Nielsen.

Once again, the Porto Musethica Week demonstrated how music can serve as a powerful tool for empathy, participation, and social transformation, while contributing to a more inclusive vision of higher music education across Europe.