Carla Cottini returns to Festival Vermelhos with recital

Carla Cottini performs Paisagens Líricas on 15/11 at Festival Vermelhos with works by Camêu, Debussy, Montsalvatge, Villa-Lobos and Ernani Braga.

Italian-Brazilian soprano Carla Cottini returns to Festival Vermelhos on 15 November at 8:30 pm to present the Paisagens Líricas recital with pianist Ricardo Ballestero. The program includes works by Helza Camêu, Claude Debussy, Xavier Montsalvatge, Villa-Lobos and Ernani Braga, in an edition that celebrates ten years of Instituto Baía dos Vermelhos.

For more than a decade, Carla has stood out on opera and concert stages around the world. Born in São Paulo, she impresses critics and audiences with her expressiveness and refined technique in roles shaped by composers such as Verdi, Mozart, Bellini, Puccini, Villa-Lobos, Schumann and Schubert.

The Ilhabela recital crowns a journey through major Brazilian stages. Based in Berlin since 2019, Carla opened the 2025 season at Theatro Municipal de São Paulo performing Zerlina from Don Giovanni under the baton of Roberto Minczuk. The maestro had previously collaborated with her in 2024 during Festival Vermelhos.

In late September, Carla performed at the opening of Jorge Aragão’s 50 anos de Poesia tour at Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro. She sang “Ave Maria”, by Bach and Gounod, accompanied by a string quartet and the artist’s band.

“Anos atrás interpretei Ave Maria em dueto com o Jorge ao cavaquinho. A Tânia Aragão ficou emocionada e me contou que essa música tinha um valor especial para sua família. Sabendo que eu estaria me apresentando no Brasil, Tânia me convidou para fazer essa surpresa para a plateia do Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro. Foi um momento maravilhoso.”

On 15 October, in a duo with Ballestero, Carla performed a recital at Auditório Olivier Toni at the University of São Paulo. The repertoire included works by Debussy, Montsalvatge, Villa-Lobos and Helza Camêu. The composer’s piece “Saudade”, based on a poem by Vicente de Carvalho, will soon be released as a single.

Days before the Ilhabela recital, on 7 and 9 November, Carla appeared in “A Profissão da Senhora Warren”, a lyrical adaptation of Bernard Shaw’s play with music by Maurício De Bonis. The production was a highlight of the Festival de Música Erudita do Espírito Santo and marked a reunion with her mentor Eliane.

After the festival, Carla returns to Berlin to record Bachianas Brasileiras nº 5, by Villa-Lobos, with Orchester des Wandels between 24 and 28 November. The sessions include a new version of “Melodia Sentimental”, a 1958 piece commissioned for the film “Green Mansions”.

“Fico contente quando tenho a oportunidade de cantar no Brasil, porque gosto de trazer para o meu país um pouco do que aprendo pelo mundo. O público brasileiro é caloroso e receptivo. Gosto de reencontrar colegas, de me conectar com pessoas que não conhecia, de conhecer novos talentos brasileiros.”

Paisagens Líricas program

Carla Cottini, soprano & Ricardo Ballestero, piano

The recital explores languages and soundscapes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Brazilian songs by Villa-Lobos, Helza Camêu and Ernani Braga illustrate how popular traditions shaped new musical expressions.

Helza dialogues with Debussy’s atmospheres, while Braga and Manuel de Falla express nationalist impulses rooted in their cultural rhythms. Montsalvatge transforms Cuban influences into critical reflection.

Program

Heitor Villa-Lobos – Bachianas Brasileiras nº 5

Ária (Cantilena)

Dança (Martelo)

Camargo Guarnieri – Melancólico

Helza Camêu – Toada da chuva / Saudade / Noitinha

Ernani Braga – Ô, Kinimbá / Capim de Pranta / Nigue-nigue-ninhas / Engenho Novo

Claude Debussy – Rêverie (piano solo) / Ariettes oubliées

Manuel de Falla – Danza de La Vida Breve (piano solo)

Xavier Montsalvatge – Cinco canciones negras

Carla Cottini

Carla Cottini is a renowned Brazilian soprano recognized for her performances on international opera stages. She has distinguished herself in works by Mozart, Puccini, Bellini, Verdi, Donizetti, Humperdinck, Massenet, Händel, Lehár and Bernstein. She has performed at Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Sala São Paulo, Palau de la Música de València, Deutsche Oper Berlin and Teatro Regio di Parma.

A leading member of Orchester des Wandels, Carla develops two chamber music projects. With Ballestero, she is recording her first album. With Elenora Pertz, she tours Europe with the recital DUAS.

Ricardo Ballestero

Born in São Paulo, Ballestero is dedicated to chamber music and musical collaboration. He performs regularly at venues such as Sala Cecília Meirelles, Sala São Paulo and Theatro Municipal de São Paulo. His work promotes pieces by Nepomuceno, Guarnieri, Mendes, Mignone, Lacerda and Miranda.

As pianist and musical director, he collaborates with São Paulo Companhia de Dança and Theatro São Pedro. He has recordings released by SESC and Music and Arts. In 2024, he released the album Auroras.

A professor at the University of São Paulo, he holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan and was a member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio.

Service

Festival Vermelhos – Recital Paisagens Líricas, by Carla Cottini and Ricardo Ballestero

Saturday, 15 November, 8:30 pm

Full program and tickets: vermelhos.org.br/

More information: carlacottini.com/