Tito Paris performs with Macao Chinese Orchestra

Renowned Cape Verdean musician Tito Paris took the stage at the Macao Cultural Centre’s Grand Auditorium over the weekend. This concert was part of the sixth “Encounter in Macao: Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.”

The performance featured a fusion of Sino-Portuguese musical traditions, showcasing the harmonious blending of diverse cultural influences through expertly arranged compositions led by Zhang Lie, the orchestra’s music director.

The event not only highlighted Paris’s artistic versatility but also represented a significant cultural exchange between Cape Verde and Macau.

Paris, who began playing guitar at the age of seven, has captivated audiences worldwide for over 40 years with his distinctive blend of Cape Verdean genres infused with elements of jazz, rock, salsa, and flamenco. He showcased three traditional styles from Cape Verde: the morna, characterized by its slow tempo; funaná, an energetic accordion-based genre; and coladeira, which features a variable rhythm.

His albums have reached audiences globally, from New York to Paris, earning him accolades and a medal from the President of Portugal for his contributions to music. Zhang Lie conducted the concert and led the orchestra in reinterpreting Paris’s compositions using traditional Chinese instruments. NS