Sao Miguel

Fernando Lopes-Graça and Amílcar Vasques-Dias are linked in their musical reflections on Portuguese identity, but at widely differing points in that country’s history. Lopes-Graça transformed traditional songs into poetic and hard-edged statements, helping to create a ‘national collective spirit’ that would not be bowed by dictatorship. Vasques-Dias’s approach to folk culture is based on more personal feelings and emotions, recalling the countryside of his childhood and its landscapes today.

Fernando Lopes-Graça and Amílcar Vasques-Dias are linked in their musical reflections on Portuguese identity, but at widely differing points in that country’s history. Lopes-Graça transformed traditional songs into poetic and hard-edged statements, helping to create a ‘national collective spirit’ that would not be bowed by dictatorship. Vasques-Dias’s approach to folk culture is based on more personal feelings and emotions, recalling the countryside of his childhood and its landscapes today.

"Another beautiful album from singer Edie Daponte. Packed with passion, joy and love Alegria brings a mix of musical influences all tied together with Edie's rich, powerful vocals. On this collection of classics and originals, Edie has teamed up again with some of Vancouver Island's greatest musicians. Taking us to Spain, Portugal, France and Italy there are Jazz, Bossa Nova, Fado and Blues numbers. If you've seen her perform live you'll know the emotion Edie brings to every number - Alegria radiates with her charm, what could be lovelier?"

With his enchanting Chamber Music for Harp, Oboe, English Horn, Flute, Viola and Cello, German composer Dirk Michael Kirsch, transports us to captivating islands of dreams. Dirk-Michael Kirsch attended until 1984 the Gymnasium Sylt. After graduation he studied oboe, pedagogy and chamber music at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich with Hagen Wangenheim. The pedagogical, artistic and chamber music diploma was followed by engagements at the Städtischen Bühnen Augsburg, the Bavarian State Opera and the Munich Chamber Orchestra. Dirk-Michael Kirsch has a broad spectrum as a freelance musician: He teaches at the University of Augsburg and at the Augsburg Musikgymnasium St. Stephan, as well as at the Musikschule Grünwald. He also plays in numerous orchestras and ensembles.

“Sou Teresinha desde que me lembro, canto desde que me lembro e a música faz parte do meu caminho desde que me lembro. Gosto sempre de acreditar que o meu caminho é muito mais feliz assim. Tudo me leva a crer que sim. Depois de ter o privilégio de conhecer fadistas e músicos incríveis, cantar em casas de fado muito especiais e privar com pessoas com quem muito aprendi, lanço, finalmente, o meu primeiro disco. É com carinho que recordo o dia em que subi ao palco do CCB para o meu primeiro concerto a solo. De seguida a Casa da Música e, desde então, outros palcos e diferentes plateias têm-me quecido o coração.