Charity Christmas Concert

The Lagoa Congress Centre, in Parchal, presents the Charity Christmas Concert by the Algarve International Orchestra on 20 December at 18:00! Tickets will be available soon.

The Municipality of Lagoa and the Rotary Club of Praia da Rocha, in collaboration with other Rotary Clubs in the Algarve and the Cultural Association Ideias do Levante, present a Christmas Charity Concert. It will take place at the Lagoa Congress Centre on 20 December 2026 at 18:00.

The concert will feature the Algarve International Orchestra, conducted by maestro Peter Fudge, and the Algarve International Choir, directed by conductor Maria Saramago, with soloist Carla Pontes also performing.

With a duration of approximately two hours, including a 30-minute interval, the concert offers a musical celebration of the Christmas spirit, bringing together musicians and performers from different nationalities in a cultural and charitable show.

Half of the proceeds from the concert will go to the Ferragudo Elderly Support Centre (CAIF), thus contributing to its mission of supporting the elderly population of Ferragudo.

Tickets for this performance cost €20 (discount available for holders of the Cultural Passport, available at the ticket offices of the Municipality of Lagoa) and will soon be on sale at Bilheteira Online, at the ticket offices of CTT, Fnac, Worten, Auditório Carlos do Carmo, Centro Cultural Convento de S. José, and the One-Stop Shop of the Lagoa Council.

More than just a concert, this will be an opportunity to celebrate Christmas through music while also contributing to a cause of recognised social value in the Algarve community. We count on you!

ALGARVE INTERNATIONAL ORCHESTRA

The Algarve International Orchestra was founded in 2021 by its musical director, conductor Peter Fudge, with the aim of creating a regional musical space open to musicians of different ages, nationalities, and levels of experience.

This community orchestra was established to bring together Portuguese and foreign musicians residing in the Algarve, united by their love and passion for orchestral music.

Since its founding, it has become an important meeting point for different cultures and generations, promoting participation, learning, and sharing through music.

Currently, the Algarve International Orchestra is the only complete amateur orchestra in the Algarve, bringing together musicians aged from 12 to over 65 years. Its members come from various parts of the region, from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo António, and regularly represent eight or nine different nationalities.

Based in Paderne, just a few kilometres north of Albufeira, the orchestra holds regular rehearsals at weekends, providing its members with the opportunity to develop musical skills while also participating in projects and public performances.

The group mainly consists of amateur musicians with intermediate to advanced skills, along with some professional musicians, both active and retired. This diversity extends to their professions and life paths, reflecting the inclusive and intergenerational nature of the project.

The orchestra also includes significant participation from Portuguese music students, contributing to their artistic development and creating new opportunities for orchestral experience.

More than just an orchestra, the Algarve International Orchestra is a multicultural and intergenerational musical community, where different paths, experiences, and nationalities come together through a universal language: music.

INTERNATIONAL CHOIR OF ALGARVE

The Algarve International Choir is a regional, non-profit choral project created by the cultural association Ideias do Levante. Under the artistic direction of conductor Maria Saramago, the group has a community-focused mission, bringing together amateur and experienced singers (adults and young people from the age of 12) from various nationalities, whether residents or visitors to the region.

SOPRANO CARLA PONTES

Carla Pontes is a lyric coloratura soprano, known for her versatility and fusion of classical tradition with other musical styles. Her voice and interpretation span opera, early music, fado, and contemporary music, exploring different forms of expression and a strong artistic identity.

Bar service (from 17:00) provided by Paixão Catering.

Synopsis in English