Vasco Mendonça - Third Places (Various Artists)

Information

Composer: Vasco Mendonca

• American Settings
• Three Speeches and a Technique
• Marathon

Iestyn Davies, countertenor

Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música

Brad Lubman, conductor

Barbara Koselj, mezzo-soprano

Het Muziek

Ernest Martinez Izquierdo, conductor

Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música

Andrew Gourlay, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Holuzam

_____________________

Composer Vasco Mendonça’s third album, Third Places, is an ambitious contemporary Portuguese recording that merges artistic expression with political reflection. Inspired by Ray Oldenburg’s concept of communal spaces beyond home and work, the album highlights landmark performances recorded at iconic venues like Porto's Casa da Música and Amsterdam's Muziekgebouw. Featuring prominent international musicians, the work places vocal expression at its core to examine modern societal challenges. Through compositions inspired by turbulent US political climates and the European migration crisis, Mendonça blends lyricism with tension, transforming music into a critical, visceral space for global dialogue and resistance against indifference.

Born in 1977, Portuguese composer Vasco Mendonça has established a distinguished international presence, with his works performed by premier ensembles like the Asko|Schönberg and International Contemporary Ensembles. His music is frequently featured at world-class venues and festivals, including the Lincoln Center and the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. Specializing in music-theatre, Mendonça regularly collaborates with cutting-edge European companies and acclaimed directors like Katie Mitchell. Having studied under George Benjamin and Klaas de Vries, his heavily decorated career includes the Lopes Graça Composition Prize, selection for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, and representing Portugal at UNESCO’s International Rostrum of Composers.