"MUSIC IN THE NORTH" – CYCLE OF BAROQUE MUSIC - MADEIRA 600 YEARS

music

As part of the 600th anniversary celebrations of the Discovery of the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, the "Music in the North" cycle of Baroque music aims to explore and promote among the Madeiran public one of the most remarkable and rich periods of our musical heritage from the 17th and 18th centuries.

A period of great transformations, it laid the foundations for the musical system still in use today and produced remarkable composers and works we all know and love. 
The title, "Music in the North", refers to the fact that the entire cycle is to be presented on the north coast of Madeira, thus giving these municipalities a cultural event with unique characteristics on the island. This cycle of music was presented by the Regional Secretary of Tourism and Culture at the congress "São Jorge – Memory and Future" held in August of last year. The focus on the Baroque period arose from the relationship with the rich heritage existing in this parish: the treasured Parish Church of São Jorge. 
 
Centred on sacred music, the programme will present works by great international composers, such as the Stabat Mater by Pergolesi, together with a Salve Regina by Alessandro Scarlatti, both works for Soprano, Alto and Orchestra which will be interpreted by the Mateus Baroque Orchestra on period instruments. Also included are works by Vivaldi and Bach and by famous Portuguese composers such as António Teixeira, Carlos Seixas and Francisco António de Almeida, among others, interpreted by two vocal ensembles dedicated to the interpretation of polyphonic music from Portugal. The aim is to showcase some of the national and international music of this period.
The programmes also seek to mark the period of Lent which coincides with the festival, putting an emphasis on works that were composed for this period and thus encouraging reflection.
 
To view the programme in full detail, please click here

 

 

CARNIVAL

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Madeira Carnival festivities offer a variety of activities you can choose from, with the option to enjoy them as a simple spectator or as an active participant.

In Madeira, the Carnival season is experienced in a constant festive atmosphere, both with official initiatives and those of a more spontaneous character, deep-rooted in Madeiran tradition, with joy and cheerfulness prevailing in the streets, establishments and private homes, between February 19th and March 1st.
 
To find out more about what to expect from Madeira Carnival festivities, please click here

 

 

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR´S EVE FESTIVITIES

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The arrival of the decorative lights in the streets of the city centre of Funchal, during the month of December, sets the beginning of the Madeira Christmas and End of the Year Festivities programme.

These festivities culminate with the famous fireworks show, officially recognised in 2006 by the Guinness Book of Records, as the largest fireworks show in the world.
 
These commemorations consist of a rich and extensive programme of cultural, religious, ethnographic and artistic manifestations that take place throughout the entire month of December, an event that culminates on January 6th.
 
To find out more about what to expect from Christmas and New Year Festivities in Madeira, taking place between December 1st, 2019 to January 6th, 2020, please click here

Caniço Gastronomic Fair

The 'Festa Gastronómica do Caniço' starts on 16 August, “a cultural event that nurtures the promotion of local and regional gastronomic heritage and an eclectic, diverse musical poster aimed at a very wide target audience”, informs the Parish Council of Caniço in statement.

“The changes made to the previous model are based on the desire to bring restaurants back to the center of the parish, giving priority to local catering and thus promoting a truly Canicence gastronomic show,” reads the same note.
The schedule was also designed to make the holidays profitable and to coincide as little as possible with other festivities scattered throughout the island, that is, a set of attractive factors that will certainly bring to Caniço several hundred people over these five days ”, underlines the parish council.
Another strong point of this Gastronomic Party, adds the same source, “is the proper planning and organization of spaces made in a joint effort between the Parish Council, PSP and Civil Protection and which has allowed the creation of 400 parking spaces as well as to guarantee the safety and functionality of the spaces in question and, consequently, the safety of all who go to Caniço ”.

Madeiran Reveillon - The best in the World

One of the biggest fireworks shows in Madeira takes place during the Reveillon, it is officially recognised by the world record Guiness book as the biggest fireworks show in the world.

These exhibitions are even more astonishing when seen on the sea. It is possible to enjoy a pleasant and beautiful boat trip and even party aboard one of the available ships with your family and friends. As soons as the sun sets, the skies over Funchal's bay lights up with fascinating fireworks.

There is a variety of boats from which you can chose from, since the beautiful wooden caravela "Bonita da Madeira" to "Lobo Marinho" - a ship with bars and restaurants. Feel the cool breeze aboard the "Sea Born Catamaran" or even the "Santa Maria de Colombo" - an explendid replica of Cristopher Columbus ship, also know as the pirate ship of Madeira.

Boats you can chose:

Bonita da Madeira

Lobo Marinho (Porto Santo Line)

Madeira Wind Birds

Sea Born Catamaran

Santa Maria de Colombo

Madeira has already published a budget of 1,2 million euros for Christmas and for the Reveillon of 2019/2020, the budget will be used to buy, supply, install and burn the fireworks for the Christmas parties as well as New Year's Eve. Everything is set to have another record breaking Reveillon.

 

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