Piano Recital by Margarida Prates

An Intimate Recital at Palace of Monserrate

One of Sintra’s most breathtaking spaces, the Music Room of Palace of Monserrate, hosts a unique piano concert by the pianist Margarida Prates, dedicated to musical creation by women. In this special programme, the audience is invited to discover works by female composers who have shaped history (often in silence), with particular emphasis on the Portuguese composer Ad. Brinita, whose authentic and sensitive repertoire now deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated. An intimate and immersive experience, where music comes to life in an exceptional setting, celebrating the talent, memory and artistic expression of women through the piano.

About the Repertoire

The discovery of a cultural legacy in any artistic field is always a cause for celebration. In the Portuguese musical community, the recent rediscovery of the composer Ad. Brinita (pseudonym of Maria Amélia Ferraz Bravo) has proved particularly significant, as her works confirm the presence of female artistic activity in our country during the transition from the 19th to the 20th century—an area still little explored in musicology, yet currently generating considerable enthusiasm among scholars. Ad. Brinita (1872–1963) left us seven piano pieces, all published in the early 20th century in national society journals, by the now-defunct Portuguese publisher Sassetti, and by the French publisher J. Hamelle.

A revision of her works is currently being undertaken by the pianist Margarida Prates, with a view to their reissue. Ad. Brinita left us Romantic works characteristic of her time: she composed Romances—highly lyrical musical forms—as well as three dances: a Waltz, a Mazurka and a Minuet. Her writing is refined and meticulous, with a demanding technical level, revealing a deep knowledge of the instrument for which she wrote exclusively. Knowing that she was an accomplished pianist, it is likely that many of her pieces were inspired by works she performed and studied throughout her career as an instrumentalist. It is only natural to begin by recreating what one knows and finds familiar before venturing into more daring and innovative creative expressions. Her pieces are well written, comfortable for the performer, and include numerous musical indications that clearly convey her intentions in each passage. This concert offers a rare opportunity to hear the complete set of her surviving works.

Completing the programme are works by the French composer Mélanie Bonis, the American Amy Beach and the Brazilian Chiquinha Gonzaga, all contemporaries of Brinita. Though geographically distant, they were united by a shared passion for music. Bonis represents a forward-looking voice, taking early steps towards Impressionism. Amy Beach remains rooted in Romanticism, with a style rich in emotion and lyricism. Chiquinha Gonzaga embodies the New World, introducing new sonorities such as choro, and the vibrancy of a culture shaped by diverse influences—at the time far removed from European classical traditions.

Programme

- Ad. Brinita, Romanza in A-flat major

- Ad. Brinita, Romance in A major

- Ad. Brinita, Minuet

- Ad. Brinita, A Tear

- Ad. Brinita, Mazurka

- Ad. Brinita, Romance sans paroles

- Ad. Brinita, Waltz

- Mélanie Bonis, Mélisande

- Mélanie Bonis, Viviane

- Mélanie Bonis, Desdemona

- Mélanie Bonis, Salomé

- Amy Beach, Barcarolle, Op. 28, No. 1

- Chiquinha Gonzaga, Carijó

- Chiquinha Gonzaga, Viva o Carnaval

About Margarida Prates

Margarida Prates was born in Lisbon, the city where she lives and works. After completing her degree in piano at the Lisbon School of Music, she moved to Italy to study with the pianist Fausto Zadra, attending his masterclasses at the Scuola Internazionale di Pianoforte in Rome for five years. She later enrolled at the Aquiles Delle Vigne Academy of Music, where she had the opportunity to study with Maestro Aquiles Delle Vigne and obtained the performance diploma, the “Artist Diploma”.

As a concert pianist, she enjoys performing solo as well as exploring ensemble music, appearing regularly in chamber music concerts with a variety of string and wind instrumentalists. She has performed on both national and international stages, including in Spain, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Guatemala.

Alongside her concert career, Margarida Prates has a strong interest in musicological research, which has led to invitations from RDP/Antena 2 to produce radio programmes dedicated to a range of musical topics.

More information

• Location: Music Room, Palace of Monserrate
• Date: 10 May 2026
• Time: 6:15 PM
• Duration: 1 hour
• Audience: Ages 6+
• Meeting Point: Palace of Monserrate
• Accessibility: Accessible route
• Additional Information: Ticket holders should proceed to the ticket office at the Park of Monserrate. Refunds will not be issued in the event of late arrival or non-attendance, except in cases where the event is rescheduled or cancelled.