Date
12/01/2026

Custódio Castelo and a group of students from the Portuguese guitar class at the School of Applied Arts (ESART) of the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (IPCB) were guests on the latest edition of RTP1’s ‘Em Casa d’Amália’ programme.

Recorded in December and broadcast on 9 January, the episode (available here) dedicated to that instrument brought together master and disciples for a conversation about the academic teaching of the Portuguese guitar, highlighting the pioneering work of ESART-IPCB and how, since 2008, the institution and the cultural milieu of Castelo Branco have been shaping the careers of these and other young musicians.

On the table – where there was no shortage of other guitars, records and books – were also the transition to professional stages, the importance of innovation in composition and the works already released by these virtuosos of the Portuguese stringed instrument.

In addition to the songs ‘Guitarra Triste’, ‘Por Minha Conta’, ‘Talvez Um Dia’, “Amália” and ‘Adeus’, the line-up included live performances of original songs not only by the ESART-IPCB professor – “Velho Fado de Lisboa” and, opening and closing the episode, the now classic “Ventus” –, but also by former students of the Bachelor’s Degree in Music – Instrument Variant and Master’s Degree in Music – Specialisation in Portuguese Guitar: “Choro do Marquês” and “Nova Chula do Povo”, by Ricardo Silva; “Tear” and “Matilde”, by Rui Poço; and “Dimensão”, by Bruno Chaveiro, who is usually responsible for the chords in the programme’s theme tune.

Fados, chulas and cante alentejano accompanied by the Portuguese guitar ensemble and the voices of José Geadas and Joana Teixeira, the only member of the group still attending the first higher education course focused on this instrument.

Hosted by José Gonçalez and broadcast on Friday evenings on RTP 1, “Em Casa d´Amália” is inspired by the evenings when the fado diva welcomed poets, singers, painters, musicians and actors to her home in Lisbon, on Rua de São Bento, for all-night gatherings.

Now in the studio, the weekly public television programme brings together authors and composers to share memories, experiences and knowledge about culture, history and current affairs in an informal setting.

Credits: Em Casa d’Amália/Facebook (photo), RTP (images)