Brazil and Angola celebrate 50 years of independence with new symphony orchestra

Led by Brazilian maestro Ricardo Castro, Angola launches its first major symphony orchestra to mark 50 years of independence.

The creation of the Orquestra do Cinquentenário marks a milestone in Angola’s cultural history. Under the leadership of conductor and pianist Ricardo Castro, founder and general director of NEOJIBA, the country now celebrates its first large-scale symphony orchestra, composed of 130 young Angolan musicians and technicians.

The orchestra’s inaugural concert took place on November 7, 2025, at the Belas Convention Center in Luanda, launching the official celebrations of Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary. Broadcast nationwide, the event was met with critical and public acclaim, establishing the new orchestra as a symbol of Angola’s cultural and artistic future.

From vision to reality

The project was initiated by Angola’s First Lady, Ana Dias Lourenço, who envisioned a national institution of musical excellence. The implementation followed the model of NEOJIBA, the renowned Brazilian program known for combining artistic excellence and social transformation.

Supported by the Ministries of Education and Culture, the CEARTE – Center for Arts and Crafts of Luanda became the orchestra’s headquarters. After two national auditions, 118 musicians and 12 technicians were selected from over 330 applicants and trained by professors from Brazil and Europe since March.

New instruments — including oboes, bassoons and horns — were acquired, and a luthiery workshop was established to ensure technical independence. The training also formed local producers, archivists and section leaders, who now make up the orchestra’s professional core.

A historic debut and cultural milestone

Conducted by Ricardo Castro, the debut concert featured a program dedicated to freedom and Angolan youth, with works by Rui Mingas, Villa-Lobos, Lorenzo Fernandes, Francisco Mignone, Bizet, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius. A special highlight was the Rapsódia Angolana, composed for the occasion by Jamberê from NEOJIBA.

On November 11, the official Independence Day, the orchestra performed the Angolan National Anthem for the first time in a fully Angolan symphonic version, under Ricardo Castro’s baton and featuring tenor Emanuel Mendes, at the Dr. Agostinho Neto Memorial.

“It is moving to witness symphonic music resonate in Angola with such strength and quality. The potential of its youth is extraordinary,” said Ricardo Castro. “What was born here is more than an orchestra — it is a symbol of unity, pride and the future of Africa.”

Legacy and cultural bridge between Africa and Brazil

Following its artistic and institutional success, the Angolan government confirmed that the Orquestra do Cinquentenário will continue performing regularly, serving as the foundation for the future National Orchestra of Angola, which will follow international standards of training and artistic excellence.

Beyond an artistic milestone, the orchestra’s creation symbolizes a cultural reconnection between Brazil and Angola, uniting two nations with shared history through the transformative power of music.

“In Angola, symphonic music is not a European import — it is an African achievement,” concludes Ricardo Castro. “This orchestra is born for the people, with the mission to educate, inspire and unite.”