A Poignant Tribute to Ary dos Santos
The upcoming theater performance 50 Madrugadas, created by actor and director Jorge Gomes Ribeiro, revisits the essence of Lisbon and the April 25th Revolution through the lens of the revolutionary poet Ary dos Santos. The show will premiere on April 24th at the Museum of Fado and will run on several dates throughout the end of April and early May.
Gomes Ribeiro describes 50 Madrugadas as a "peça-fado", a unique blend of theater and fado music featuring a political, social, iconic, and tragic narrative. The performance showcases the talents of Sofia Ramos, Ricardo Abreu Raposo, and Pedro Pernas, accompanied by musicians António Martins on Portuguese guitar and Pedro Saltão on viola.
Evoking Memories of Lisbon
Gomes Ribeiro elaborates that the piece reflects on the evocation of April 25th and the residual memories tied to the neighborhoods of Lisbon, focusing on the cultural legacy left by Ary dos Santos. He emphasizes the significance of Santos's work, highlighting it as one of the strongest representations of Lisbon's poetic landscape.
With over 600 songs to his name, Ary dos Santos is celebrated for his contributions to fado, with notable pieces like "Amêndoa Amarga", "Um beijo no Futuro", and "Cavalo à Solta". Gomes Ribeiro points out that despite being overlooked by intellectuals in the 1980s, he is now recognized as one of the most important poets of the last phase of Modernism.
The Artistic Vision
The director explains that the essence of Ary dos Santos's poetry is crucial for the performance, inspiring themes of resistance and freedom. He notes how Santos had a mathematical gift for writing lyrics that align perfectly with the rhythms of music, a quality that is now acknowledged by contemporary musicians and writers.
In addition to renowned artists like Carlos do Carmo and Amália Rodrigues, Ary dos Santos's work has been sung by various other performers. Four of his songs have won the Festival RTP da Canção, showcasing his enduring impact on Portuguese music culture.
A Legacy of Quality
Reflecting on the 1971 festival, journalist Maria Teresa Horta remarked that having at least three poems by Ary dos Santos in the competition guaranteed a level of quality that was rare at the time. With 50 Madrugadas, audiences can expect a heartfelt exploration of Lisbon's rich cultural heritage and the profound influence of one of its most beloved poets.
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