The first five days of October were marked in Madalena, Pico island, by the celebration of string instruments at the Festival Cordas. Traditional music was present with the Tuna de Cordas Ilha Negra at the opening and Orlando Martins, who highlighted the Viola da Terra at the Madalena Auditorium. The Quarteto Quadrivium presented classics by Mozart and Schubert.
The festival also featured Sephardic music performed by Canadian Aaron Lightstone, who used the Arabic oud. Spanish musician Hector Belda Om closed the international participation with Spanish music and an exhibition of guitars he builds on his sailboat.
Inês Ripamonti, who announced her name change to artistic name Maria Inês, presented new music at the Pico Wine Museum. The Duo Sea Strings, with Daniela Dahmen Quintas and Miguel Camponez, performed Ancient Music at the Cella Bar. Young Daniel Ferro presented new music and improvisations on two guitars and the Viola da Terra, culminating in a jam session with musicians from Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Canada.
The program also included school visits, a film night, and talks. The painting exhibition "Cordas na Tela" can be seen at the Madalena Auditorium Library until the end of October.
With 11 editions completed, the next edition of the Festival Cordas is scheduled for October 1st to 5th, 2027. The event is a partnership with the Madalena Municipal Chamber, with support from the INATEL Foundation, the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Government of the Azores, volunteers, and local businesses.
