The Costa Vicentina Early Music Fest returns to the Algarve (Portugal)

The Costa Vicentina Early Music Fest returns to Portugal’s western Algarve from 22 to 29 August, offering a week of concerts and cultural events in Lagos, Sagres, Aljezur and Vila do Bispo. Admission to all events is free.

Organised by the cultural association “O Corvo e a Raposa”, the festival is devoted to historically informed performance and seeks to explore the connections between early music, the Iberian Peninsula and other parts of the world, while building bridges between past and present. The programme opened on 22 August at the Church of Santo António in Lagos with the inaugural presentation of the “Lagos 1460” artist bursary. Developed as part of a new partnership with the Lagos Museum and Lagos City Council, the initiative is aimed at young musicians specialising in historically informed performance of music dating from after 1460.

The festival continues until 29 August, combining concerts with opportunities for exchange, encounters and learning. The Costa Vicentina Early Music Fest was first held in 2021 at the Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe in Vila do Bispo. Since then, the project has expanded its programme and partnerships across the region.