OPERAFEST LISBOA OEIRAS 2025

7 AUGUST to 16 SEPTEMBER 2025
"Forbidden Love"

Operafest continues to win over audiences, establishing itself as the main gateway for new audiences to opera in Portugal, as well as the main stage for emerging talent, with a varied program meeting everyone!

The 6th edition of Operafest 2025, led by soprano Catarina Molder, with the production of the Ópera do Castelo, from August 7th to September 16th, brought the magic of opera directly to approximately 11.500 people during a month of stimulating programming around "forbidden love," combining great classics with avant-garde opera and national premieres. Always on the path of conquering new audiences and with full houses, it took place in new venues and with new programming partners, expanding in the greater Lisbon area. Once again establishing itself, nationally and internationally, as an "out-of-the-box" opera festival that is enjoyed with the passion of a pop festival!

“Impressive audience loyalty for this festival, with impressive vitality.”Opern Glass

“Operafest has accustomed us to unusual programs and a healthy convergence between novelty and tradition.” Première Loge

“The cast offered unforgettable performances.” Scherzo Magazine

“Planetary alignment in the Lisbon sky: a dazzling production” Première Loge

10 opera performances

★

3 premieres

★

4 operas

★

1 national premiere

★

5 films in the Cine-Opera cycle

★

1 operatic rave

★

Workshops for diverse audiences and conferences

★

1 opera in a television version

In the unique setting of the Carthusian Monastery in Caxias, Verdi's "La Traviata" echoed, sung by the unique voice of Darija Augustin, staged by David Pereira Bastos and conducted by maestro Osvaldo Ferreira, with the Philharmonic Orchestra and an unusual operatic rave featuring Tó Trips & Fake Latinos, Bateu Matou, and DJ Marfox. In the Aula Magna, it was the turn of the great pearl of the Baroque, Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," in a transgressive and genuine moving version by the duo Os Músicos do Tejo and choreographer Rui Horta. The national premiere of the opera "Julie" by Belgian composer Philippe Boesmans took place at Culturgest, in co-production with Artway, with remarkable staging by Daniela Kerck, musical direction by Bruno Borralhinho, an orchestral ensemble from the Beira Interior region, and a top-level cast. Finally the return of Mozart's "The Magic Flute," staged by Mónica Garnel and the musical direction of Pedro Carneiro, at the Olga Cadaval Cultural Center, very soon reaching everyone, in the filmed version for RTP2!

It also had a remarkable media impact with a strong promotional presence, for a period of almost 5 months, intensifying in the last 8 weeks, across all media, with print ads, television, radio and digital spots and banners, on RTP, TSF and Antena 2, major newspapers: Público, Expresso, DN, Visão among others, magazines and national and international platforms and outdoor media, as well as a notable presence of international critic.

Its audience also included around two thousand young people and children, a growing and loyal following of varying ages and tastes who have enthusiastically enjoyed its challenges and offerings year after year!

This edition involved more than 220 professionals from multiple areas of the sector, from conductors, orchestras, choirs, singers, composers, musicians, creatives to producers, coordinators, stage directors, répétiteurs, front of house, and musicologists, from various generations.

Since its start in 2020, Operafest has been the entity in Portugal that has given the most opportunities to emerging talent to debut in opera, as well as the entity that debuts the largest number of Portuguese creatives in opera.

At Operafest there are no volunteers; all its production staff are properly remunerated.

“Exciting!”Opera Magazine

“The dynamism and audacity of the Castle Opera House must be remembered. By offering the Portuguese public this summer a remarkable production of Julie by Philippe Boesmans, a national creation and now the fruit of the efforts of its director Catarina Molder, they are also presenting, in its national premiere, “Vanessa” by Samuel Barber.” Première Loge

The Operafest and Ópera do Castelo thank everyone who made this edition possible and all the enthusiastic audience who enjoyed it!!

Long live opera!
Long live Operafest!

“Warmly received by the public, the production confirmed the role of OperaFest Lisboa e Oeiras asa platform for innovation and risk-taking, giving space to emerging performers and proposing new interpretations of classic works.” Usia Magazine

Operafest 2025: Love, Risk and Freedom with Catarina Molder