Valletta Guitar Festival 2026

Yamandu Brasileiro Performers Yamandu Costa | 7-string guitar João Pita | 7-string guitar Fernando Dalcin | Mandolin and cavaquinho Luciano Maia | Accordion Carlos Cesar Motta | Percussion Yamandu Brasileiro warmly invites audiences to an evening of musical immersion into a relaxed, vibrant, and welcoming cultural atmosphere. Brazilian music is deeply rooted in a rich blending of influences from across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, creating a unique sound identity that is both sophisticated and deeply accessible. During this concert, audiences will discover some of the most characteristic instruments of choro, one of Brazil’s most emblematic musical genres. These include the expressive 7-string guitar, the lively Brazilian tambourine known as the pandeiro, the cavaquinho, small in size but essential to the rhythmic and harmonic structure, and the mandolin, known for its lyrical and agile melodic lines. Together, these instruments form a delicate yet energetic ensemble that captures the spirit of Brazilian musical conversation. The programme highlights works by some of the most influential figures in Brazilian music history. Audiences will hear pieces by Heitor Villa-Lobos, whose compositions bridge classical traditions and Brazilian folk elements; Jacob do Bandolim, a master of the mandolin and a central figure in choro; Dominguinhos, known for his poetic contributions to popular Brazilian music; and Pixinguinha, one of the founding fathers of choro, whose legacy shaped the genre’s identity. Alongside these works, the audience will also discover original compositions by Yamandu, offering a contemporary and personal interpretation of this living tradition. Through this journey, the concert shares not only music, but the essence of a culture: its warmth, rhythmic vitality, and emotional depth. Audiences are invited to experience Brazil through sound, sensation, and the intimate dialogue between instruments that define its musical soul. Duration: 80 minutes Progra