Petrobras-backed Brazilian orchestras unveil albums and free concert

Brazil's Petrobras Symphony Orchestra released two new recordings in July. The live album “Lumière – Obras Concertantes para Clarineta e Viola” features clarinetist Cristiano Alves, violist Dhyan Toffolo and conductor Isaac Karabtchevsky. A second release, the “Coleção Armando Prazeres – Quarteto de Cordas (Haydn)”, honors the orchestra’s founder and presents Haydn’s Op. 76 No. 3 performed by the ensemble’s own musicians.

The Filarmônica de Minas Gerais gave a free concert on Friday 24 May at the Teatro Arthur Azevedo in São Luís, Maranhão, under master sponsorship by Petrobras. Conducted by associate maestro José Soares, the program opened with Lully’s “Ouverture et Danses du Bourgeois Gentilhomme”, included five Brazilian miniatures by Edmundo Villani‑Côrtes and arrangements inspired by the Bumba‑meu‑boi tradition, and concluded with Mozart’s Symphony No 40. Tickets were distributed at the theatre box office and online at no cost.