Music is a big part of Jewish life, from the intimate songs of the family Sabbath dinner table to the stirring melodies of synagogue prayer, and even to the orchestral concert hall and the Broadway stage. The Jewish Community of Oporto is proud to present a series of lectures beginning on July 24, 2026, exploring the rich world of Jewish music, led by Professor Francisco José Monteiro.

Prof. Monteiro and invited guests will combine guided listening to selected pieces of music, historical insights, and discussion. The sessions, lasting one hour, will be presented in English and Portuguese, followed by informal discussion and light refreshments. They will be held in the Holocaust Museum of Porto on Friday afternoons during the summer and fall of 2026.

The goals are the series are to introduce the public to Jewish composers and musical traditions that are not always associated with Judaism. It will offer moments of relaxation, reflection and discussion through guided listening to music, and strengthen Jewish community life through music.

Some of the presentations planned include:

• Early 20th century Jewish composers: Gustav Mahler, Arnold Schönberg, Darius Milhaud, Paul Dukas, Ernest Bloch
• Minimalism and contemporary American composers: Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Bang on a Can
• Kurt Weill and European political composers including Hans Eisler, Paul Dessau
• 19th century composers: Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, Jacques Offenbach, Giacomo Meyerbeer
• Other less well-known Jewish composers: Viktor Ullmann, György Ligeti, Stefan Wolpe, Leon Kirchner, Lou Harrison, Morton Feldman

^{Professor Monteiro (photo by David Weigens) and Cindy Shapiro}

The presenter, Monteiro, started his musical studies as a pupil of Helena Costa in Oporto, later entering the Music Conservatory where he completed the Superior Piano Course with honour. He has a concert Diploma from the Vienna Musik University, an M.A. in Musicology from the University of Coimbra, and a Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield on 20th century music. He has taken part in Festivals in Italy, Colombia, Spain, Portugal, and Slovenia, and has given recitals in France, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Croatia and the U.K. He has recorded several CDs. He was Professor in the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal (School of Education) and a senior researcher in INET - MD.  He is now dedicated to research, performance, improvisation, composition, tango and fado. He is a member of the Mekor Haim Choir.

Prof. Monteiro will be joined by Cindy Shapiro, who will sing some of the works to be presented in the first lecture. Cindy is an opera composer and interactive fiction expert. She has held artist residencies in Paris and Porto. A Tides Foundation grant recipient, she has toured globally as a vocalist, sings in the alt rock band 2.5D, has toured with the Roger Wagner Chorale, and has written and produced 2 operas in Los Angeles, Paris, Avignon, Casablanca and other cities around the world. She is also a member of the HaMakom Choir.

The title of the first presentation is: ‘Jewish music or music by Jewish composers?’ The following topics will be covered: a presentation of the lecture cycle, why are there so few known Jewish composers in Europe until the 19th century, and the first years of the 20th century. This will include a discussion of great disruptions, great persecutions, and great names like George Gershwin, Arnold Shönberg, Kurt Weill, Hans Eisler.

The event will take place on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 2:30 PM in the Holocaust Museum of Oporto. Admission is free, and registration is required (info@comunidade-israelita-porto.org).