Classic meets Africa

Classic meets Africa, a project created in 2015 by Ana Maria Pinto with the collaboration of Joana Peres, Eliseu Silva, Miguel Gullander and Zé Beato, is one of the projects of Novaterra, Associação Cultural Arte e Ambiente, which aims to create bridges between distant worlds , but once in contact they strengthen each other. The meeting of classical music with African dances reveals an extraordinary space for intercultural sharing in which every movement is a lever for change, one that rhymes with dance. A project that challenges the artist and the public itself, with the indelible traits of classical music, the pure gestures and the breathtaking energy of African dances.

During the 2015/2016 academic period, 8 concerts were held with the participation of the Bonjóia Youth Orchestra, the Allatantou Dance Company, Ana Maria Pinto and Zé Beato (Xinganje and Kaviula), as well as a Female Vocal Ensemble. The concerts took place at Rivoli, Teatro do Campo Alegre, Gondomar Municipal Auditorium, Vila Nova de Gaia Municipal Auditorium, Palácio das Artes, the Cerco School Group and the Cupertino Miranda Foundation. Classic meets Africa was also present at the "África Mostra-se" Festival at the Almeida Garrett Library in October 2016.

At the genesis of the Classic meets Africa project is the piece for Orchestra, Female Vocal Ensemble, African Percussion and Capoeira entitled "A Dança de Xinganje e Kaviula" composed by Ana Maria Pinto in the summer of 2015. The piece is divided into 5 parts:

- Presentation of Xinganje - Orchestra, Piano, African Percussion and Dancer

- Presentation by Kaviula - Piano and Dancer

- We came from the stars in the sky of Africa - Xinganje and Kaviula (voices), Voices on stage and voices from the public.

- Meeting of Xinganje and Kaviula - Orchestra, Piano, African Percussion and Dancers

- Worlds within worlds - Ginga that plays - Orchestra, Piano, Female Vocal Ensemble, African Percussion, Capoeira and Dancer

One of the objectives of the Classic meets Africa project is to commission works based on the fusion of classical music and African rhythmic expressions. Composers Ana Maria Pinto, Luís Costa, Nádia de Carvalho and Isabel da Rocha have collaborated on the project so far.