A Story to Tell – World Premiere in Portugal

On September 5, 2025, the deeply moving orchestral composition A Story to Tell – Gaza 2021 will receive its highly anticipated world premiere at the opening concert of Festa do Avante! in Portugal. The Lisbon Sinfonietta, under the baton of esteemed conductor Vasco Pearce de Azevedo, will bring this powerful and evocative work to life at the scenic Quinta da Atalaia in Seixal.

Composed in response to the harrowing events of the May 2021 conflict in Gaza, A Story to Tell is more than just a musical piece—it is a testament to resilience, an ode to the human spirit, and a powerful artistic statement on survival, loss, and hope. This work was born from lived experiences, capturing the emotional and physical landscapes of a community enduring the unimaginable.

The composition weaves a narrative through its orchestration, featuring strings, woodwinds, and percussion. The strings paint a portrait of emotion, shifting between despair and defiance. The woodwinds provide moments of introspection and nostalgia, reflecting the enduring bonds that connect people even in the darkest times. The percussive elements, both thunderous and delicate, pulse with the persistence of those who refuse to be silenced by war.

This premiere at Festa do Avante!—a festival renowned for its celebration of cultural resistance and solidarity—holds profound significance. It is a space where art and activism converge, making it a fitting stage for A Story to Tell. The music invites the audience to not only listen but to bear witness—to the pain, the courage, and the hope that emerge from conflict.

As this piece is performed for the first time, it stands as a reminder that music is not just entertainment—it is memory, protest, and healing. It is a beacon for those who have suffered and a call to never forget their stories.

Join us on September 5 at Quinta da Atalaia to experience this extraordinary moment in contemporary music. Let the sounds of A Story to Tell speak where words fail, and let its message resonate beyond the concert hall.