Intersecting Paths

Different times, different places, passions and myriad religions. An inimitable world and an inevitable common event: music. The 2025 season at Casa da Música celebrates diversity and cultural encounters, launching with a two-week festival, Intersecting Paths. It begins with an Iberian journey by the Symphony Orchestra, featuring Portuguese composer Francisco de Lacerda and the Hispanic-Arabic influences on Falla, Ravel and Rimsky-Korsakov. Later, the orchestra will recall Saint-Saëns’s passion for Algeria, Zimmermann’s portraits of the raw Afro-American reality and the vibrant energy Gershwin found in Paris. Diversity of ideas and cultures shapes the fascinating work of Liza Lim, the composer-in-residence for 2025. Her season-long portrait begins with Remix Ensemble presenting national premieres and introducing the ancient Chinese sheng, played by Wu Wei, alongside new music by Steve Reich performed in partnership with Synergy Vocals. It also includes a piece dedicated to the pianist Tamara Stefanovitch, who will perform as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra. The Baroque Orchestra will be conducted for the first time by Mahan Esfahani, the renowned Iranian-American harpsichordist, and responds to other convergences, including the huge artistic vitality of 18th-century Berlin. The Choir delves into themes of “wandering”, from German Lied to Magyar folklore, the Gypsy imaginary and pilgrim songs. A stimulating start to the season which also features a session of musical theatre for families.