The Cordas World Music Festival will celebrate its tenth edition by welcoming Madeira’s traditional instruments to the Azores stage for the very first time. Running October 1–11 in Madalena do Pico, the festival will once again turn the Azores into the capital of string music, this year with a strong delegation from the neighboring archipelago.

In partnership with the Conservatory – School of Arts of Madeira and the Xarabanda Association, the program highlights the richness of Madeiran string traditions through concerts, workshops, and cultural exchanges.

“Building partnerships across Portugal has always been part of MiratecArts’ mission,” says artistic director Terry Costa. “Including Madeira in this landmark edition allows us to showcase the diversity of string instruments across the nation and foster greater cultural connections.”

The Madeiran contingent includes students Daniela Luís, Francisco Jesus, Leandro Aguiar, Madalena Santos, Pedro Perestrelo, Rafael Freitas, and Vasco Moniz, performing alongside professors Ricardo Mota, Roberto Moniz, Roberto Moritz, and Teresa Leão. Together they will appear with the Orquestra Típica Madeirense and Quinteto Madeirense at the Madalena Auditorium. Additional performances include a Mandolin Trio concert at the Madalena Library and interactive events designed to engage both musicians and audiences.

Traditional instruments will also be featured at the Pico Wine Museum, where Roberto Moniz and Roberto Moritz—two artists who have helped carry Madeiran music to international audiences—will lead demonstrations.

Founded in 1946 as the Madeira Academy of Music, the Conservatory – School of Arts of Madeira was renamed by regional decree in 2024, expanding its mission to include arts education at all levels, cultural content production, and research. The Xarabanda Musical and Cultural Association, active for more than four decades, has been equally vital in preserving heritage through traditional music research, teaching, and publishing an oral tradition songbook for the Madeira Archipelago.

“MiratecArts is honored to host such a dedicated group of musicians and teachers,” Costa adds. “Their participation enriches the festival and reinforces the importance of cultural exchange between our islands.”

The Cordas Festival runs October 1–11 in Madalena do Pico, Azores. More information is available at festivalcordas.com and on Facebook at CordasWorldMusicFestival.

From a MiratecArts Press Release.

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