Culture is one of the most important instruments for the valorization of territories, the promotion of knowledge, and the bringing together of people and communities. It is in this spirit that Bragança welcomes the 6th edition of Bragança ClassicFest, a project that has established itself as a landmark on the classical music stage in Portugal and contributes decisively to the cultural projection of our city. The Festival brings together artists, ensembles, and orchestras of recognized international prestige, reinforcing the link between artistic excellence, heritage, and the territory's identity.
The 2026 edition represents another step forward in the consolidation of this event, expanding its international scope through cultural cooperation with Zamora and cementing Bragança's presence in Iberian and European cultural circuits. At the same time, the creation of Bragança ClassicLab opens new perspectives for training, artistic creation, research, and cultural mediation, broadening the reach and legacy of the Festival.
The Municipality of Bragança is proud to support an initiative that promotes access to culture, encourages the development of new audiences, and contributes to establishing Bragança as a cultural destination of excellence. Throughout these weeks, music will be a catalyst for encounter, sharing, and inspiration, enriching the cultural life of our community and of all those who visit us.
To all the artists, partners, organizers, and audience members, I extend a word of recognition and gratitude for being part of this celebration of art, creativity, and dialogue between cultures.
Following five editions marked by artistic excellence and growing recognition, the Bragança ClassicFest – International Music Festival returns in 2026.
Understanding Culture as a transformative force capable of inspiring new perspectives, bringing people together, and contributing to more participatory and conscious communities, Bragança ClassicFest projects itself toward new international horizons and deepens its educational mission, promoting discovery, enjoyment, learning, and sharing. Every moment aims to awaken curiosity, democratize and enrich the cultural experience, and contribute to the training and loyalty of audiences.
Under the Artistic Direction of Filipe Pinto-Ribeiro, the program is an invitation to encounter and celebrate the richness of musical heritage. Works spanning centuries come to life, revealing their timeless relevance and their unique ability to move, inspire, and connect people. The presence of soloists, ensembles, and orchestras of recognized national and international merit reflects the artistic standard that has characterized the festival since its inception.
The program is enriched by the Bragança ClassicLab, dedicated to creation, training, and cultural mediation — through artistic residencies, masterclasses, open rehearsals, educational initiatives, and interdisciplinary projects —, providing meaningful, shared cultural experiences.
Bragança ClassicFest involves institutions and partners who recognize Culture as a major purpose. The Teatro Municipal de Bragança expresses its deepest recognition and gratitude to all who contribute to making this celebration possible, extending a very special thank you to His Excellency the President of the Republic for the honor of renewing the High Patronage.
In its 6th edition, Bragança ClassicFest strengthens its position as one of Portugal’s leading classical music festivals, presenting a programme of international excellence that brings together some of Europe’s most prestigious performers, ensembles and orchestras. The festival continues to establish itself as a privileged meeting point between heritage and artistic creation, established musicians and emerging talents, fostering dialogue between different generations, musical languages and traditions, while reaching increasingly broad and diverse audiences.
The 2026 edition marks a new chapter in the Festival’s history, expanding its international dimension through a cross-border partnership with Zamora, where a concert presenting the programme will take place at the Teatro Principal, featuring works by Haydn and Mozart performed by a quintet from the Juventus Ensemble, comprising young talents with distinguished and promising careers, from Portugal, Greece and Spain. This initiative further strengthens cultural cooperation between Portugal and Spain and positions ClassicFest within an increasingly broader artistic context.
Following the launch concerts in Bragança and Zamora, ClassicFest officially opens at the Teatro Municipal de Bragança, the Festival’s alma mater, with the Portuguese debut of the prestigious Virtuosi del Teatro alla Scala orchestra from Milan, led by Austro-Bulgarian violinist Mario Hossen, in two programmes devoted to Italian virtuosity, celebrating Vivaldi and Paganini. On World Music Day, the Portuguese early music ensemble O Bando de Surunyo follows with a journey through the splendour of the Music and Poetry of the Iberian Golden Age. One of the most eagerly anticipated highlights of the programme brings together comedian Maria Rueff and the DSCH – Schostakovich Ensemble, featuring a constellation of internationally renowned musicians, in a new version of The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, where music, humour and theatre come together in a performance conceived for audiences of all generations.
The program also includes an open-air concert by the brass quintet 100 Caminhos, a piano recital entirely dedicated to the extraordinary work of Franz Liszt, and a Closing Concert celebrating the rich musical legacy of Hungary by the acclaimed Budapest Chamber Orchestra, which, with over 200 recorded CDs, has been in the international musical elite for more than six decades.
2026 also marks the launch of the Bragança ClassicLab, a new platform for artistic creation, education, research and cultural engagement that will extend the Festival’s activities throughout the year. Artistic residencies, masterclasses, open rehearsals, educational projects and interdisciplinary collaborations form the pillars of this new initiative, whose first edition will take place in December and culminate in the performance A Christmas Concert, bringing together world-renowned musicians around the music of Schubert and Dvořák and Charles Dickens’ timeless work A Christmas Carol.
More than a festival, Bragança ClassicFest is thus establishing itself as an international cultural project committed to artistic excellence, audience development, the appreciation of cultural heritage, and dialogue between different cultures.
My sincere thanks go to the Municipality of Bragança, the Teatro Municipal de Bragança and DSCH Associação Musical, the Festival’s promoters and organisers, as well as to patron BPI / “la Caixa” Foundation, the Directorate-General for the Arts, RTP Antena 2 and, in particular, His Excellency the President of the Republic, for granting the Festival his High Patronage. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the artists and collaborators who, with dedication and enthusiasm, contribute to making Bragança ClassicFest a cultural initiative of recognised prestige.
Welcome to the 6th edition of Bragança ClassicFest – a Festival that celebrates music, heritage, creativity, excellence and the coming together of cultures, further establishing Bragança as an increasingly prominent stage for the international music scene.
