Porto Pianofest on Tour arrives in Vila do Conde for the second year in a row, highlighting the festival’s prestigious Artist in Residency Series of spectacular international talents with Canadian pianist Michelle Lynne. This event underscores Porto Pianofest's commitment to sharing young musicians of high artistic level with new audiences, taking its performances to different municipalities in the region, especially outside the center of Porto city, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties with communities.

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Program Notes from the Artist:

Many years ago, I named my concert series in the Netherlands Opus 16 after the Musical Moments, Op. 16 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, because I felt the title reflected what I was offering my audiences as I curated different ensembles and programs: intimate, meaningful musical moments. This opus, with its rich depth and romanticism, forms the heart of the program and represents the artistic philosophy that has shaped my work over the past several years. As a pianist, I am continually drawn to repertoire that emphasizes intimacy, poetry, and emotional storytelling, creating programs that invite audiences into deeply personal musical experiences.

Alongside Rachmaninoff, this program celebrates my Canadian roots through two contemporary Canadian composers. It includes Remember My Heart by Edward Enman, as well as a short fantasy piece by Adam Vincent Clarke, a new commission that will also appear on my upcoming four-hands album Tides. As a Canadian living and performing in Europe, I value every opportunity to bring a piece of home with me. The image of the ocean between my homeland and my adopted home becomes a quiet thread running through this program. Included as a final touch is the Pavane pour une infante défunte, a jewel in the repertoire allowing space to comtemplate. Together, these works connect themes of home away from home, memory, distance, and belonging, while creating a dialogue between the Romantic tradition and the vibrant voices of contemporary Canadian compositions. The result is a program that bridges continents, celebrates meaningful musical moments, and values the continous connections we carry with us as artists wherever we go.