Portugal Gulbenkian

Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

The organisation was founded by Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869-1955), a philanthropist, art collector and benefactor of the arts.

The Music Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation supports:

The Gulbenkian Orchestra, founded in 1962 by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Its current symphonic formation enables the Gulbenkian Orchestra to perform a large repertoire covering the Baroque and Classical periods, the 19th Century music and also compositions by 20th Century composers. The Gulbenkian Orchestra’s programs include compositions rarely played, or even unknown to the general public and also a great number of first performances of works by both foreign and Portuguese contemporary composers, many of which expressly commissioned by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, which therefore plays an informative and cultural role of the greatest importance to the public.

The Gulbenkian Choir, founded in 1964 by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. With a full symphonic formation of about 100 singers, it can also appear as a smaller vocal ensemble, according to the nature of the specific performed works.

Jazz in August: Over the last two decades, Jazz em Agosto has staged around 180 concerts introducing our audience to the leading jazz innovators both from the music's homeland in United States, and from Europe, where creative jazz has flourished for many years – a duality which we have been keen to explore. Another constant feature of Jazz em Agosto has been to present line-ups and musical projects previously unheard in Portugal, instituting a coherent programming policy unrivalled in Portugal.