This Saturday, July 19, Praça Mauá in downtown Rio de Janeiro will host a significant musical gathering as part of the latest edition of the Projeto Aquarius. The event will feature renowned artists Iza, Martinho da Vila, Roberta Miranda, and Chico César, accompanied by the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra (OSB). This concert festivity is free and open to the public, commemorating the centennial of the newspaper O Globo and the 85th anniversary of the OSB.
The event will kick off at 3:30 PM with DJ and multi-instrumentalist Ryon Sax. The main concert, led by conductor Eduardo Pereira, is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM.
The concert’s repertoire has been thoughtfully curated to blend classical and popular music, showcasing the diversity found within Brazilian music. The OSB will perform works such as Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4” and the theme from “Indiana Jones” by John Williams, followed by solo performances from each artist featuring symphonic arrangements of their hit songs.
At 87 years old, Martinho da Vila will make his debut at Projeto Aquarius, performing classics like “Kizomba, Festa da Raça,” “Disritmia,” and “Conversa de Botequim,” originally by Noel Rosa. Roberta Miranda, who has previously collaborated with the OSB, will sing favorites like “Majestade, o Sabiá” and “Luar do Sertão.”
Chico César, who celebrates the 30th anniversary of his debut album, will present songs such as “À Primeira Vista,” “Quando Eu Fechar os Olhos,” and a rendition of “Pai” by Fábio Jr. Iza, one of Brazil’s leading pop icons, will perform tracks including “Dona de Mim” and her interpretation of “Maria, Maria” by Milton Nascimento and Fernando Brant.
The evening will culminate in a joint performance where all the artists will reunite on stage to sing “Aquarela Brasileira,” and there will be an encore of “Oração ao Tempo” by Caetano Veloso.
This event aims to bridge musical genres and democratize access to orchestral music. The collaboration of artists from various musical backgrounds—samba, sertanejo, MPB, and pop—highlights the project’s commitment to diversity.
Originally conceived in 1972 by Roberto Marinho, Péricles de Barros, and maestro Isaac Karabtchevsky, Projeto Aquarius has a rich history of staging major outdoor concerts, merging classical music with celebrated figures of popular music.
These upcoming performances not only promise to celebrate cultural milestones but also foster unity and appreciation for the diverse musical landscape of Brazil.