Beautiful Is the Unknown Destiny

Please note: this show is entirely in Portuguese.

Opera in dialogue with fado is the proposal brought by Sinfonietta de Braga to Teatro Maria Matos in the performance Beautiful Is the Unknown Destiny [Belo é o Destino Desconhecido]..

In a crossing of two realms — the earthly and the divine, where the Fates weave the threads of destiny — questions arise about fate, fortune, passion and transcendence.

The place is Horas. The time belongs to the age of earth and sky. The Parcae work tirelessly: the One Who Spins, the One Who Measures, the One Who Cuts. The music of the spheres vibrates differently here, and the sisters try to listen to the fado rising.

With what voice can one sing a desire greater than the body? Can poetry guide us through the labyrinth? The question travels from 1899 to 2099, between passionate mortals and gods. In that liminal space where freedom and fortune dance, the most perfect harmony is interwoven with the most unsettling dissonance.

TECHNICAL AND ARTISTIC CREDITS

Artistic Direction: Sinfonietta de Braga
Libretto: Marta Pais Oliveira
Stage Direction and Choreography: Daniela Cruz
Artistic Curatorship: Artur Caldeira
Set and Costume Design: Ruben Ponto
Lighting Design and Operation: Cárin Geada
Sound Design and Operation: Carlos Meireles
Sound Assistants: Mário Tina, João Lima
Subtitling: Tiago Brás
Musical Composition: Pedro Lima

Soloists
The Lover: Tiago Correia
The Beloved: Raquel Mendes
She Who Weaves: Sofia Marafona
She Who Cuts: Rui Vieira
She Who Cares: Rafaella Veiga

Instrumental Ensemble
Violin I: Pedro Oliveira
Violin II: Joaquim Pereira
Viola: Carlos Monteiro
Cello: Tiago Mendes
Double Bass: Daniel Gomes
Keyboard: José Diogo Martins
Flute / Alto Flute: Clara Saleiro
Clarinet: Alexandre Abreu
Bass Clarinet: Mário Apolinário
French Horn: Rui Pires
Percussion: João Miguel Braga Simões, Vítor Castro, Isaque Andrade (guests from Drumming GP)
Portuguese Guitar: Artur Caldeira
Classical Guitar / Electric Guitar: Daniel Paredes

Artistic and Musical Direction: Jan Wierzba
Rehearsal Pianist: José Diogo Martins
Photography and Video: André Rodrigues
Communication: Daniela Pinto / Sinfonietta de Braga
Executive Production: Miguel Oliveira / Sinfonietta de Braga

M/12

Partnership: Lisboa Cultura | Museu do Fado, Teatro Maria Matos
Support: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, DGArtes, Drumming GP, Calouste Gulbenkian Conservatory of Braga, Antena 2

Founded in 2006 and restructured in 2016, Sinfonietta de Braga is dedicated to fostering musical careers, building audiences, and enriching the cultural landscape both in the Braga region and nationwide. With an artistic portfolio focused on musical quality and diversity, Sinfonietta de Braga has established itself as one of the region’s main cultural pillars. Since 2023, it benefits from Sustained Support by DGArtes, alongside support from the Municipalities of Braga, Monção, and Esposende.

In addition to its own programming — centred on projects such as Falando de Música, Festival Arcada, and Re:Opera — Sinfonietta collaborates with a wide range of initiatives and institutions. It participates in cultural festivals and cycles such as Ciclo Contraponto at Theatro Circo, Braga Holy Week, Winter Journey / Braga é Natal, and Braga Barroca.