The Porto Piano Fest was co-founded in 2016 by the Portuguese pianist Dr. Nuno Marques and New York based pianist-composer Mariel Mayz.

Since its start in 2016, Porto Piano Fest has presented many established international artists and upcoming stars of the music world. Guest Artists 2023 includes Stars of American Ballet, Lara Downes, Zsolt Bognar, Luis Fernando Perez, Selim Mazari, and Emanuel Salvador.

The multi-genre concerts take place in diverse settings, from large-scale concerts at Casa da Música, the modern Rem Koolhas building with a 1,200-seat hall, to the more intimate settings at the hall of the Rectory of the University of Porto, the exhibition spaces of the new World of Wine and the famous Palácio da Bolsa, the concerts are followed by a wine tasting from Portugal’s oldest vinho verde producers, Soalheiro.

There will be an ARTIST RESIDENCY Program, a MASTERCLASS Program, and a very interesting AUDITOR Program: Auditors submitting online with a modest tuition of 100€ can get access to tickets to all the events, attend conferences and coaching sessions and meet the teachers and artists. https://www.portopianofest.com/programs

Nuno Marques, the Piano Fest’s artistic director, was the first protégé of this Young Portuguese Music Student Scholarship program launched in 1994 by the AMIGOS DE MUSICA based in the ALGARVE near Santa Barbara de Néxe.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Client;

N.B. Nuno Marques will be the December artist for the AMIGOS DE MUSICAS’ concerts at Os Agostos, near Sta Bárbara de Néxe, presenting 2 concerts on 19th and 20th of December 2023.

The Association of Amigos de Música, formed in 1991 as a non-profit organisation, was fortunate in attracting some generous members, who contributed to the budget with extra donations. Thus, In 1994 began the AMIGOS’ scholarship program for needy and promising young Portuguese musicians. For more information visit www.amigosdemusica.org.