The exhibition ‘Musical Iconography in the Churches and Chapels of Funchal’, previously on display in Funchal, will be presented in five new cities: Évora (October 22 to November 11), Castelo Branco (November 25 to January 2), Braga (January 9 to February 6), Torres Novas (February 14 to March 20) and Lisbon (March 28 to June 19).

Organised by Paulo Esteireiro (Conservatory – Madeira School of the Arts and CESEM) and Rita Rodrigues (Regional Directorate for Culture) and scientifically coordinated by Luzia Rocha (CESEM) and Rita Rodrigues, the exhibition brings together images of musical instruments, musicians, and scenes in which music plays a role in religious art.

The project includes the cataloguing of the representations identified, coordinated by Carolina Faria (Conservatory – Madeira School of the Arts and INET-md) under the scientific supervision of Luzia Rocha, and a brief analysis of their historical and symbolic context.

Complementary events:

• October 22, 11.30 a.m. I Opening at Siza Atrium, University of Évora;
• November 11, 2.00 p.m. I Closing with the presentation ‘Ave Regina caelorum: The musical dimension of the Flemish altarpiece of Évora Cathedral’ by Luís Correia de Sousa, followed by a musical moment (Stretto Flute Trio: Beatriz Sousa, Daniela Galguinho e Diogo Valverde) – Event at Colégio Mateus d’Aranda.

• November 25, 6.30 p.m. I Opening in Castelo Branco (ESART). Presentation ‘The “intelligence” of artificial intelligence (AI) in art and musical iconography’ by Luzia Rocha, along with some thoughts on the exhibition by Luísa Correia Castilho. The musical interlude will be provided by the IPCB.

• January 9, 4.00 p.m. I Opening in Braga (University of Minho). Presentations: ‘Old Canons, New Icons: The Visual Aesthetics of Revolutionary Chinese Opera (1966-1976)’ by Beatriz Silva and ‘Musical Iconography in the Portalegre Tapestry – Making of an exhibition’ by Cláudia Sousa. The musical interlude will be provided by the Music Department of the University of Minho.

• February 14, 3.00 p.m. I Opening in Torres Novas (Gustavo Pinto Lopes Municipal Library). Presentation ‘Modus Amoris: Between the sacred and the profane in music and art’ by Luzia Rocha and Luís Correia de Sousa. The musical interlude will be provided by the Rudá Porang Duo (Alberto Pacheco and Anderson Beltrão).

• March 28, 7.00 p.m. I Opening in Lisbon (Monastery of São Vicente de Fora);
• June 19, 6.00 p.m. I Closing in Lisbon (Monastery of São Vicente de Fora).