The strength (the power) of the word by José Mário Branco celebrates the sorcerer's apprentice

He called himself a "variety artist, popular composer, sorcerer's apprentice". On the day that marks the third anniversary of the death of José Mário Branco, tickets are put on sale for the tribute that Canto Nono takes to the stage, in April of next year. "The strength (the power) of the word - Um Canto a José Mário Branco" celebrates one of the greatest of music in Portuguese.

The show, at Coliseu do Porto, is composed of songs written by José Mário Branco, either as lyricist, composer or creator of arrangements.

In homage to the man who was its artistic director for two decades, Canto Nono presents the recreation of his work, “through the musical and personal experience of almost 20 years of the group, in a very challenging style, which places the harmonization of voices at the center, exposing its potential in creating original melodies, which make up for the lack of instruments and touch our senses”.

Formed in 1992, Canto Nono is characterized by singing a cappella. The connection to José Mário Branco is materialized through projects such as the soundtrack of the film «A Raiz do Coração», by Paulo Rocha, or the show «Sons do Porto – A Cidade a eight voices», with Carlos Tê, Germano Silva and Manuel Pina.

At the celebration in April, the group brings “Passinho”, a “Message to Porto”, news from “Etelvina” and “Soldadinho”. He promises to “enjoy a hot chocolate in 'Arcádia' to mitigate the 'Troubles of This Life'”. "And in the end, who knows, maybe each of us became, a little bit, a sorcerer's apprentice." After all, “Times change, Wills change”.

Some of the themes on stage are arrangements by “companions of music that Zé Mário was very fond of”, such as Amélia Muge, José Martins, Tomás Pimentel, José Manuel David or Filipe Raposo.

“Just like in a poem, we are one person when we enter a song by José Mário Branco and a totally different one when we leave it, because there is no neutrality in his songs, they are the result of a constant work of the pulleys of thought, little soldiers playing in the fields. gardens of the gods and the name of a linden tree on the avenue of the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal, that mythical place of childhood, of cotton candy and plenty”, writes Canto Nono about the author.