Sitting in solitary splendour atop the hill in Old Goa against a
picturesque backdrop, the restoration of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount,
opened more than just its doors to it ethereal interiors. It was to be the
start of a festival of Western and Eastern music that has evolved into one of
the finest since its inception in 2002. Into its fourteenth edition this year,
it continues to highlight the richness of both western and eastern classical
music with an august gathering of musicians, singers and dancers from Goa,
India and around the globe. It is, as the organisers confirm, a bridge through
cultures.
“The basic concept of the Monte Music Festival was to create a
platform for understanding and communication between two music and dance
traditions – western and eastern. Every year, we have sought to present a
balance of both these. In a similar vein this year, the show will open with a Mohan
Veena recital by Ajay P Jha and close with a classical guitar recital by
Portuguese guitarist Pedro Jóia,” affirms Inez Figueira, Director, Fundação
Oriente, the organisers of the festival in collaboration with Cidade de Goa.
In an effort to disjoin Fado from the western classical component,
this genre has been dropped altogether from the festival this year. “We want
people to understand that there are different components/aspects to western
classical music, rather than only Fado, which the people of Goa are accustomed
to. Hence, we have dropped the Fado this year. The purpose of this festival is
to showcase a healthy confrontation between western and eastern classical
music,” reiterates Figueira.
A major highlight of the programme this year however will be the
Spanish ‘Cappella della Luce’ Ensemble directed by Santiago Lusardi Girellli.
“They will perform some composition of a very little known Portuguese composer
Gaspar Fernandes who was greatly influenced by baroque music (Brazilian/Guetamalean)
during his time in South Africa and how he has incorporated the richness of
these experiences in his work. It is probably for the first time that his works
will be played in India,” explains Figueira. “The Indian Folk ensemble will
also be another very interesting highlight of the festival,” she informs,
hoping that people will once again enjoy the Monte Music Festival as it bridges
two cultures through the sound of music.
Passes for the performances inside the Chapel are available at Fundacao
Oriente during office hours.
Box:
AT THE FESTIVAL
Day 1: February 5, Friday
5:45 pm – Courtyard I – Inaugural
Function followed by Mohan Veena Recital by Ajay P Jha
7:30 pm – Chapel – Western: Goa University Choir, conducted by
Santiago Lusardi Girellli with soloist Sonia Shirsat
Day 2: February 6, Saturday
6 pm – Courtyard I – Indian Dance:
Bharatnatyam Recital by Divya Rakyan Lunia
7:30 pm – Chapel – Western: Cappella
della Luce Ensemble ( from Spain), directed by Santiago Lusardi Girellli
Day 3: February 7, Sunday
6 pm – Courtyard I – Indian: banglanatak
dot com MusiCal’s Indie Folk Ensemble
7 pm – Chapel – Western: Goan String
Orchestra and Stuti Chorale Ensemble, conducted by Parvesh Java with pianist Karl
Lutchmayer
8 pm – Courtyard II – Western: Guitar
Recital by Pedro Jóia ( from Portugal)
