The Theatre Municipal Baltazar Dias (TMBD) is preparing for a full November of cultural events ranging from classical music to video art, including theatrical and visual performances. Among the highlights are the Madeira PianoFest, the IMAGE PLAY – International Video Art Festival, the International Mandolin Festival, and plays that explore deep and current themes.
Madeira PianoFest presents a series of piano recitals that will delight classical music lovers. The festival is attended by internationally renowned musicians who perform everything from solo pieces to performances on two pianos, in a celebration of the talent and expressiveness that classical music offers. This event, which started on the 2nd of November and further performances will take place on the 6th, 9th, and 10th, promises a diversified programme for those who appreciate the piano as a central instrument. On the 6th, the Portuguese pianists António Luís Silva and Tiago Nunes present a four-hand recital, in an exhibition that promises to impress the audience with its synchronization and talent. On the 9th, it is the turn of the Italians Marco Sollini and Salvatore Barbatano to explore the unique dynamics of a recital for two pianos. To close the festival, Andreas Frölich, offers a solo recital, completing this journey through the world of the piano.
Tickets for each concert cost €15, and it is possible to purchase a pack for three concerts of your choice for €36.
Following the programme, on the 7th and 8th, the sixth edition of IMAGE PLAY – International Video Art Festival will take place. This event is organized by +ART CONTEMPORARY in collaboration with the Funchal City Council (CMF) and aims to explore audiovisual languages through video art, bringing together artistic contributions from different cultures and countries.
With a symbolic €1 ticket, this festival is accessible to all who are interested in reflecting on the role of art and technology in contemporary society. The artistic direction of Hernando Urrutia proposes a reflection on the interaction between video art and audiovisual experimentation, promoting the assimilation of new experiences, methods, and knowledge. Through attentive curatorship, the festival addresses questions about creativity, innovation, and the complex dynamics of today’s society, encouraging us to think about the relationship between thought and action.
Another major highlight of the month is the Madeira International Mandolin Festival, which this year celebrates its ninth edition on the 15th and 16th of November. This festival, organised by the Madeira Mandolin Association in co-production with the Funchal City Council, puts the mandolin in evidence, exploring the various languages and styles that this versatile instrument allows. This event has the participation of world-renowned musicians, such as Vincent Beer-demander (French), Marcin Dylla (Polish), and the MiniM Ensemble group, from Italy.
In addition, the festival also hosts the 39th Regional Meeting of Tunas and Orchestras of Madeira, which offers the public an overview of Madeira’s musical diversity, presenting local orchestras and tunas together with international artists.
Tickets for the festival are available for €15.
In the theatre, the play “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?” brings an innovative interpretation of the classic figure of the wolf, exploring the theme of fears that accompany us throughout life. This production by Associação GATO, with dramaturgy and staging by Rodrigo Costa, has a talented cast that includes Sandro Nóbrega, Lícia Agrela, Henriqueta Teixeira, António Garcês, Rosário Antunes, Dorita Serrão and Rui Barata.
The play will be on stage from November 22nd to December 6th and invites the audience to a deep reflection on the roots of our fears and the way they shape our stories and behaviours. Instead of presenting the “Big Bad Wolf” as a simple creature from fairy tales, the play questions the fears we choose to carry and the roles we assign to these fears in our lives. With a scenography rich and costumes created by Rodrigo Costa, the show promises an immersive and thought-provoking experience.
Tickets are available for €10.
“Emaranhados” takes place on November 23, at 4 pm, in the Noble Hall of TMBD closes the month’s events. This visual work, created by Argenis Nunes and Merícia Lucas from the company Ahau Marionetas, integrates puppetry and video projection to explore environmental themes, using materials collected from Madeira’s seafront.
Through a visual narrative that interconnects rubbish, animals, humans, and their habitat, the performance takes a critical look at the environmental crisis and questions what we are creating for the future. “Emaranhados” won the 2024 Artistic Creation Scholarship in the field of Performing Arts and encourages the public to reflect on the relationship between human beings and the environment.
Admission is free, subject to prior registration.
The diversified cultural offer throughout November stands out as an essential factor for the artistic and social enrichment of the community. These events not only promote the appreciation of various forms of expression – from classical music, video art, and theatre to puppet performances – but also create opportunities for cultural exchange, attracting internationally renowned artists and encouraging the participation of local audiences.
For more information about the programme visit the official TMBD website. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketline or the Theatre box office.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
