Contemporary Classical Music Festival Continues in Rio de Janeiro

By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The 21st edition of the Bienal de Música Brasileira Contemporânea (Brazilian Contemporary Music Biennial) began on October 10th and will continue through October 19th with concerts of contemporary classical music works by Brazilian composers held each night at 7PM in Sala Cecília Meireles in Lapa or the Instituição Artística Guiomar Novaes in Centro.

Organized and produced by the Fundação Nacional de Artes/Funarte (National Arts Foundation) since 1975, the Bienal de Música Brasileira Contemporânea aims to showcase the latest classical music works produced within Brazil.

This year, Funarte is presenting 66 unpublished, contemporary classical works by Brazilian composers. The performances range from solos to choirs to orchestras to electroacoustic presentations.

The Orquestra Juvenil da Bahia opened this edition of the Bienal de Música Brasileira Contemporânea on October 10th at the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro and the Coletivo Chama will close the festival on October 19th in the Sala Cecília Meireles with a performance honoring the works of poet, musicologist, and art critic Mário de Andrade.

For additional information, see the official Bienal de Música Brasileira Contemporânea website and the complete program.

What: XXI Bienal de Música Brasileira Contemporânea
When: October 10th – October 19th, 7PM each night.
Where: Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Praça Floriano, S/N – Centro
Sala Cecília Meireles, Rua da Lapa, 47 – Lapa
Guiomar Novaes Instituicao Artistica, Rua XV de Novembro, 501 – Centro
Entrance: R$2.50 – R$5