On July 15 2008, Peter Ferreira performed an unforgettable concert/gala with Portuguese guitarist Paulo Soares and Susana Seivane that commemorated the end of the city of Coimbra & Rainha Santa (Saint Queen) Festivities. The concert started at 9:30pm and carried on till about 11:30pm. This was the first time the violin was introduced in concert to Fado de Coimbra adding a classical flavor to the traditional repertoire. Peter Ferreira's violin arrangements included a short Paganini style cadenza to Dança Palaciana, a piece composed by Carlos Paredes, and ending it like a concerto and a standing ovation by the audience.

click PLAY to watch video

The audio files below where not recorded professionally and have also been compressed in order to make them available online, but they have a better sound quality then the video.

The first recording, Dança Palaciana was composed by Carlos Paredes and arranged for violin by Peter Ferreira. The violin arrangement features a small Paganini style cadenza about half way into the composition. This is the first time the violin has been featured in a traditional Coimbra Fado piece using a very classical approach.

Dança Palaciana - download

Full concert recording - download

Coimbra's Festivities feature 2 wonderful firework shows that commemorate Rainha Santa Isabel's life.
The saint Queen of Portugal, Isabel de Aragão, is also Coimbra's Godmother.