In less than two weeks, Old Goa will once again be the venue for the Monte Music Festival 2019. That’s right, Fundação Oriente in partnership with Cidade de Goa brings us the 17th edition of one of Goa’s most awaited classical music festivals. From 2002, the Monte Music festival has drawn a number of Western and Eastern music dance aficionados to its picturesque venue which is the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount, Old Goa.
While the chapel is normally off-limits to the general public during the rest of the year, it’s only at the time of the festival that it opens its doors to attendees. It is the perfect setting to bring heritage and culture together, all the while also showcasing Goa as the ultimate cultural destination.
This year, the Monte Music Festival takes place between the 1st and 3rd of February 2019 with a musical line up that has been selected to tantalize the senses.
On the 1st of February, the festival opens with an intermingling of music, dance, theatre, and bhakti poetry titled Jheeni by Mumbai based group Beej. The evening ends with a performance by the Pilar Music Academy Choral from Goa, directed by Fr. Peter Cardoso.
The 2nd of February will see festival attendees witness the musical stylings of Mexican flutist Nathalie Ramirez and Indian guitarist Shyamant Behal followed by Goa’s nightingale Sonia Sirsat and her musicians performing the “Sounds of Goa”.
The festival ends on the 3rd of February with a number of amazing fado performances by fadista Carolina and her musicians and finally, there will be a carefully arranged presentation of Seven Last Words of Christ (Haydn) directed by Parvesh Java featuring violinist Eshivita Menezes accompanied by renowned pianist Mariaelena Fernandes.
A few things to note in regards to attending the festival:
All performances begin at 6 pm sharp therefore festival attendees are requested to be on time.
Performances that take place within the chapel require passes. Passes are available at the Fundação Oriente office at 175 Felipe Neri Road, Behind Peoples’ High School, Fontainhas, Panjim from the 24th of January 2019 onwards. Call on 0832 223 0728 for more details.
No private vehicles will be allowed at the festival venue. All are requested to utilize the shuttle service from the Gandhi circle to get to the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount.
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