João da Ilha finds inspiration in the Azores. His voice and guitar carry a sonority influenced by oceanic infinitude and lava power.

The Cordas Festival kicked off on World Music Day, has already celebrated Viola da Terra Day, and presented programs in schools and public spaces in the municipality of Madalena do Pico. Musicians worldwide, including Azoreans, explore the world of chordophones, and they are featured at the festival and on one of the biggest stages in the Azores, the Madalena Auditorium.

João da Ilha returns to the Cordas Festival to present his new album, NOVE CANTOS, which develops a concept entirely dedicated to exploring the notions of Azoreanity and insularity, focusing on an islander’s local experience and characteristics. Accompanied on stage by musicians Evandro Meneses, Filipe José Silva, and Marcos Fernandez, João da Ilha performs like never before on the mountain island. The concert is scheduled for this Thursday, October 10, at 9pm, at the Madalena Auditorium. Admission is free, and his music is available for purchase at the Madalena Auditorium Library, the epicenter of the ninth edition of the Cordas Festival, and the site of César Martiniano’s exhibition, the work achieved for the edition of the CD and the promotion of the work.

João da Ilha has been part of the MiratecArts network of artists since its founding. Azorean artists are welcome to join by registering online at www.miratecarts.com/registo and proposing programming with the cultural association based on the island of Pico.

The Cordas Festival is supported by the Regional Directorate for Culture, Madalena Town Hall, the INATEL Foundation, and local partners. For more programming until October 13, visit festivalcordas.com and follow MiratecArts on social media.

Photos by  César Martiniano 

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