Dom Pedro I was the first Emperor of Brazil, proclaiming its independence from Portugal in 1822. A gifted musician, Pedro I is one of only a few monarchs to have become known as a composer. A performance of his Abertura (‘Overture’) was organised in Paris in 1832 with some in the audience convinced that it had been composed by Rossini, while the Hino da Independência do Brasil (‘Hymn to the Independence of Brazil’) remains one of the country’s best-loved anthems. Operatic in character, the Te Deum celebrated the baptism of Pedro’s first son, and the joyous Credo is one of his most frequently performed works.

Founded by choral conductor Iara Fricke Matte, the Concentus Musicum de Belo Horizonte made its debut in 2016 with the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Mozart’s Requiem. Its members are all highly qualified professional musicians united by their desire to give historically informed performances of both familiar and less well-known choral and instrumental works from the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical periods, as well as a select contemporary repertoire.

One of Brazil’s most successful cultural organisations, the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades, including CONCERTO Magazine’s Grand Prize (2015, 2020). Its discography includes two previous recordings for the ‘Music of Brazil’ series, such as Almeida Prado’s woks for piano and orchestra (8574225) which was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY.

Fabio Mechetti has been artistic director and principal conductor of the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra since its foundation. Under his leadership, the orchestra has received numerous awards, recorded nine albums, including several for Naxos, and undertaken a tour of South America.

2022 marks 200 years since the proclamation of Brazil’s independence, by Dom Pedro I in September 1822. Developed in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ‘Music of Brazil’ series presents around 100 orchestral, chamber, choral and vocal works from the 19th and 20th centuries and will be recorded by the country’s top orchestras, ensemble and artists.