BRAGA – Public surrendered to concert at the Braga International Organ Festival

The Pópulo Church, in Braga, was packed last night, Saturday, for the 10th concert of the 10th edition of the Braga International Organ Festival.

The work – The Deum (Imposing Music in the Court of Louis soloists, led by conductor Diogo Costa.

With a brilliant entrance by the conductor, baton in hand, the audience surrendered to the concert.

In the end, the newspaper “O Vilaverdense” spoke and recorded the statements of the person mainly responsible for all these events, José Rodrigues, artistic director of that festival.

Honor King Louis XIV

«This The Deum was composed to honor XIV who was recovering from an illness and, at the same time, to solemnize the christening of the composer’s own son, for which the king was invited to be godfather».

Composer injures himself in the foot, causing his death

«At the premiere of the work, in 1687, Lully, while conducting the orchestra, hit his foot with his baton, causing a wound. He developed an infection for which doctors saw leg amputation as a solution. He refused and, two months later, on March 22, he ended up dying, as a result of the accident at that debut».

Exhibition of the work

«A sumptuous, majestic work, reminiscent of the Baroque period. We brought French music here with all the arrangements, composed of the choir, soloists, organ and orchestra.

Churches have become too small

«Churches, even the largest, have become too small. The concert at the Cathedral, on the 12th, had more than 1,400 people attending. Also, in Prado, it was possible to get an idea of ​​what our shows are about».

Extend concerts to neighboring municipalities

«This year, we left the limits of Braga and visited neighboring municipalities. We went to Vila de Prado and, perhaps, if the festival continues, in the next editions we can go to Guimarães, Barcelos and other municipalities in the northern region, because the organic heritage is not configured to the city of Braga».

The festival continues today at the Church of Santa Maria de Adaúfe, Braga, from 9:30 pm, with “Vozes do Conservatório – spiritual song”, and ends tomorrow, Sunday, at 4:00 pm, at the Church of Santo Adrião with “Beethoven: 9th Symphony – A hymn to universal values.”

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By Emílio Costa (CO 1179)