Over two days, in five spaces next to the Lis River, the musical marathon will showcase all the areas of the Leiria conservatory, both professional and semi-professional: the music school, dance school, senior conservatory and the Orfeão de Leiria Choir.

“This weekend in June, the city of Leiria will be revitalised by the most varied sounds and dances, from conventional classical to bold modern themes, spread across the various stages at the event, in an original production that will feature musical performances by Choirs, the Leiria Orfeão Big Band, Wind, String and Guitar Orchestras, among many others, such as the Leiria Orfeão Camerata”, the institution announced in a statement.

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Aimed at families and the community in general, the Beira Rio festival will take place in open-air venues, such as the Santo Agostinho Garden, museum spaces, such as the Leiria Museum and Moinho do Papel, a church, the Santo Agostinho Church, and a conventional concert hall, the José Lúcio da Silva Theater.

Among the extensive programme, the Orfeão de Leiria highlights the show “Debaixo de pele”, inspired by the ability of dance to “make the invisible visible”, based on the approach of the body as a “refuge of memories and pulsating matter”. It will take place on Saturday, from 4:30 pm, at the José Lúcio da Silva Theatre. It is the only activity of the festival with paid entry.

Another highlight is the presence in Leiria of the musician and researcher Tiago Matias, who will present “Sombras” at Beira Rio, an album and book dedicated to the complete unpublished works for baroque guitar by António Marques Lésbio (1639-1709). The commented concert will take place on Saturday at the Leiria Museum, at 2:30 pm.