Cheira a Lisboa (Smells Like Lisbon)
On 1 July, 1922, Parque Mayer opened its doors to the public to inaugurate its first theatre, the Maria Vitória, named after a famous actress and fado singer. In the following years, Parque Mayer opened three more theatres (the Variedades in 1926, the Capitólio in 1932 and the ABC in 1956), with revues gaining popularity in the cultural and social context of the country. As a result, the Park became an epicentre of artistic activity, with actors, directors, visual artists, writers and musicians creating a body of work that left its mark on Portuguese culture.
It is mostly the songs which have survived to the present day, timeless hits like Cheira a Lisboa, Mocidade or Zé Cacilheiro, amongst others, performed by great stars such as Anita Guerreiro, António Calvário or José Viana. These songs are of a highly popular nature and are where the stories of Parque Mayer and the city of Lisbon intersect; so many have become part of the Lisbon songbook, that it would be difficult to go to the Alfama or the Mouraria to celebrate Festas de Lisboa and not hear at least half a dozen of them.
At this show, we’ll be bringing together the most popular songs and resurrecting some forgotten gems, among+them, for example, Santo António, a song recorded by João Villaret which was a victim of censorship in 1956, or Boa Nova, one of the first recordings by Amália Rodrigues in 1942. All the songs have been reinterpreted and adapted for orchestra by Filipe Raposo, Pedro Moreira and Lino Guerreiro. The Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, conducted by Cesário Costa, will be providing the music in Praça do Comércio, accompanying six great vocalists of today: Anabela, FF, Katia Guerreiro, Luis Trigacheiro, Lura and Marco Rodrigues will be recreating 22 classics for a wonderful celebration of Parque Mayer, Lisbon and Portuguese music.
Orquestra Metropolitana directed by Cesário Costa Conductor
Anabela, FF, Katia Guerreiro, Luís Trigacheiro, Lura e Marco Rodrigues Voices
Patrícia Silveira, Patrícia Antunes, Tó Cruz e Francisco Rebelo de Andrade Choir
José Manuel Neto Portuguese guitar
João Gentil Accordion