The Atlantis Songbook

Concert

Sunday, 24th March, 12:30pm-1:15pm

“The Atlantis Songbook” features my original compositions, introducing several innovative elements to the performance:

  • The musician assumes the role of a singer-songwriter, presenting all original works that will have their Portugal premiere;
  • The cello will be tuned in an unusual scordatura, with the A string tuned down to an E;
  • The program incorporates singing, whistling, and various theatrical components;
  • Some pieces will be performed in unconventional positions, such as the cellist and the cello standing, with the cellist holding the instrument with his jaw and using it as a percussion instrument; the cello upside down, resting on the cellist’s thigh; and the cellist walking around the room, cradling the cello upside down in his arms like a baby;
  • Each piece will be performed in a different location on the concert stage, with the specific placements determined after the room assignment.

 

This recording is only for reference and consultation by the participants of the ESTA Porto 2024 Conference. All contents are protected by copyright and its violation is a crime. Illegal downloading and sharing of content or part of it is strictly prohibited

Program

“The Atlantis Songbook”

 

  1.   Spinning Song
  2.   Puro Açúcar
  3.   Plucky
  4.   Rap Tupiniquim
  5.   Dance of a Thousand Bows
  6.   Waltz for Scodanibbio
  7.   Insomnia
  8.   Before Bartók
  9.   After Bartók
  10. The Great Plains
  11. I have something to tell you
  12. Bariolage

Bio

Pedro de Alcantara, Cello

Pedro de Alcantara is a musician, writer, teacher, and artist. He began his musical journey as a conventional cellist, focusing on mainstream repertoire. However, over the decades, he expanded his scope to include improvisation, composition, singing, and proficiency in multiple instruments. His extensive collection of books, including four volumes of music pedagogy published by Oxford University Press, showcases his diverse expertise. The titles include “The Integrated String Player: Embodied Vibration,” “Integrated Practice: Coordination, Rhythm & Sound,” “Creative Health for Pianists: Concepts, Exercises & Compositions,” and “Indirect Procedures: A Musician’s Guide to the Alexander Technique.”

From 2015 to 2022, Pedro served as a Visiting Professor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow. Currently based in Paris, he travels globally, conducting workshops that explore the intersection of creativity and health. More information can be found on his website: www.pedrodealcantara.com.

Pedro de Alcantara continues to contribute to the world of music, education, and creativity.

 

Rui Pedro Damas, Lighting 

Born in Porto in September 1975. Completed the Professional Technical Course in Graphic Arts and Communication at Soares dos Reis Secondary School in 1993 and the Bachelor’s Degree in Theater, Lighting, and Sound at the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts (ESMAE) in 1996. Later completed the Bachelor’s Degree in Theater, Production – Lighting and Sound Design, in 2007. In 2015, took the exam for the Specialist Title in Theater – Lighting, at the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, obtaining it with a distinction grade from the jury. Since 1997, has been working professionally as a Lighting Designer, continuously collaborating with various directors and choreographers such as José Oliveira Barata, Andrea Gabilondo, Dennis Bernard, José Carretas, Cláudia Marisa, João Luiz, Ana D’Andrea, Marcelo La Fontana, António Durães, among others, in theater, puppetry, dance, and opera performances. 

Has directed children’s shows in partnership with Inês Vicente; “Where is Grandma?”, “Kabrrrummm”, “Maria, the ant”, and “The Escape of Colors” (also directed by Sandra Barros) and also participated as an actor. 

In 2000, won the Grand Prize INATEL/Novos Textos with “Blacklight MC”, in partnership with Paulo Oliveira. 

Since 1997, has been teaching full-time in the Theater Course, specializing in Lighting and Sound, at the Department of Theater, at the Superior School of Music and Performing Arts of the Polytechnic Institute of Porto. Was also responsible for creating the SET festival (Week of Theater Schools) in 2006, where he served as Director, Producer, and Technical Director until 2014.

 

Diogo Leichsenring Franco, Sound

Born in Porto on March 1, 1972, Diogo Leichsenring Franco completed the 12th grade at the German College of Porto in 1990. He attended the Civil Engineering Course at FEUP until 1996 and, in 1997, completed the Piano Complementary Course at the Porto Conservatory of Music with a score of 17. In 1994, he attended and completed the Sampling and Sequencers and Sound Synthesis Courses (Portuguese Musical Youth) in Lisbon, under the guidance of António Sousa Dias, Miguel Azguime, Paulo Jorge, and Eduardo Vaz Palma. In 2001, he graduated with a score of 17 in Music Production and Technologies from ESMAE, participating as a scholarship holder in EXPO’98 in Lisbon as an assistant sound technician in over 120 shows. He attended and completed the Sound System Design Courses (2009) and Portable System Deployment (2019), guided by Mauricio Ramírez (Meyer Sound). In 2009, he obtained a score of 17 in the curricular part of the Master’s Degree Course in Multimedia – Interactive Music and Sound Design at FEUP. In 2015, he obtained the Specialist Title in Theater from the Polytechnic Institutes of Porto, Bragança, and Lisbon, and in 2018, he completed his Ph.D. in Science and Technology of the Arts – Interactive Art, at the School of Arts (Portuguese Catholic University).

He participated from 1983 to 1997 in competitions, concerts, and auditions, highlighting the 1st Prize in the Portuguese Musical Youth Competition from 1988 at the regional level and the 3rd Prize at the national level, in the piano class. From 1986 to 1997, he was an artistic producer, keyboardist, and vocalist of the pop-rock music group ‘Sexo-O-Posto’, also participating as a keyboardist in the group ‘China Cool’, led by Pedro Saraiva.

He began teaching Musical Acoustics at the Porto Music School in 1990, later at the Professional School of Music of Porto, at the Music Academy of Barcelos, and at the Professional School of Music of Espinho, where he was a member of the Pedagogical Council, Coordinator, and Supervisor of Professional Aptitude Exams. He has been a lecturer in the Sound Area at ESMAE since 2001, currently serving as the Vice-Director of the Theater Department, Coordinator of the Sound Area, and Coordinator of the Stage Lighting Services.

He started his career as a sound designer, sound technician, and sound operator in 1997, having completed over 1500 shows and events to date.

Artist's website