MONTE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020
The 18th edition of the Monte Music Festival, presented by Fundação Oriente and Cidade de Goa, will be held from 7th to 9th February 2020 at the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount, Old Goa. Ever since its first edition in 2002, after the restoration of the Chapel by Fundação Oriente, the festival has continued gathering great attention and interest from both Western and Indian music and dance enthusiasts. Held at one of the most spectacular locations in Goa, the Monte Music Festival is a unique event, which has carved a niche of its own among all cultural events held in the State. With performances held inside the old heritage chapel and in its courtyard with a backdrop of the picturesque Chorão and Divar islands, and the river Mandovi, the Festival begins at sunset and goes on till about 9pm.
With its unique blend of international, national and local artists, the Monte Music Festival has seen the number of people that make this pilgrimage to witness a celebration of cultural dialogue, heritage, music and dance, increase every year. The Monte Music Festival has the support of the Archdiocese of Goa, the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology – Government of Goa, Furtado’s Music Company and the Goa College of Hospitality and Culinary Education.
MMF 2020 gives special attention to choral music with three outstanding performances by local and national choirs. It also begins the celebration of 25 years of Fundação Oriente in India. Monte Music Festival opens on 7th of February with an Indian classical dance recital titled Ritumaalya – a Garland of Seasons performed by Prachi Saathi and Deepali Salil (Bharata Natyam), Saji Menon (Mohini Attam) and Namrata Mehta (Odissi) and will end in the Chapel with the concert Ave Maria by the Kala Academy Choir directed by Maestro Rev. Romeo Monteiro.
At sunset on the 8th of February, the Goan sitar exponent Ustad Chhote Rahimat will delight the audience with his ragas along with Mansoor Khan and Dr.Uday Kulkarni. The Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble from Mumbai directed by Alfred D’Souza, will present On a Prayer and a Song in the Chapel. Closing the festival on 9th of February, we will celebrate Rão Kyao’s return to Goa, after a great musical career influenced by his travels in India. The Portuguese musician will present a concert in tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
The final concert of this Monte Music Festival will be presented by the Goa University Choir directed by Maestro Santiago Lusardi Girelli and will feature the Portuguese soprano Maria Meireles and the Austrian pianist Karen Schlimp.
PROGRAM
FRIDAY 7TH FEBRUARY
6:00PM COURTYARD RITUMAALYA – A GARLAND OF SEASONS
Indian dance recital by Prachi Saathi (Bharata Natyam), Saji Menon (Mohini Attam), Namrata Mehta (Odissi) & Deepali Salil (Bharata Natyam)
7:30PM CHAPEL AVE MARIA
Kala Academy Choir, directed by Maestro Rev. Romeo Monteiro
SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY
6:00PM COURTYARD SITAR RECITAL
Chhote Rahimat Khan & Mansoor Khan (sitar) with Dr. Uday Kulkarni (tabla)
7:30PM CHAPEL ON A PRAYER AND A SONG
Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble, directed by Alfred D’Souza
SUNDAY 9TH FEBRUARY
6:00PM COURTYARD A TRIBUTE TO MAHATMA GANDHI
Rão Kyao (vocals & flute), Carlos Lopes (accordion), Bernardo Couto (guitar), António Pinto (classic guitar and braguesa) & Belarmino Fernandes (percussion)
7:30PM CHAPEL LUX VOCALIS
Goa University Choir & Ensemble with Maria Meireles (soprano), Karen Schlimp (piano) & Mika Nishimura (violin), directed by Maestro Santiago Lusardi Girelli
PERFORMANCES INSIDE THE CHAPEL REQUIRE PASSES.
PASSES AVAILABLE FROM 28TH JANUARY 2020 AT FUNDAÇÃO ORIENTE: 175, FILIPE NERI ROAD, BEHIND PEOPLE’S HIGH SCHOOL, FONTAINHAS – PANJIM T: 0832 2230728 (WORKING HOURS).
No parking of private vehicles will be permitted at the venue. Kindly avail of the free shuttle service from Gandhi Circle, Old Goa and foot of the Mount to reach the venue.
