Last Wednesday (12), Cine Theatro Brasil was the stage for an unforgettable celebration: the charity concert “Clássicos de Minas” (Classics of Minas), commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra. The evening brought together big names in Minas Gerais music in a vibrant tribute to the state’s culture, marked by emotion, inclusion, and solidarity.
Under the baton of conductor Eliseu Barros, the Orchestra enchanted the audience with a repertoire carefully crafted to portray the soul of Minas Gerais, from popular traditions to the legacy of Clube da Esquina, through the power of rap and the energy of carnival blocks. Sharing the stage with the young musicians were Ana Cristina, Bernardo do Espinhaço, Bloco de Belo, Laura Catarina, Malvina Lacerda, Marina Araújo, Patrícia Ahmaral, Renegado, Sérgio Pererê, and Trio Amaranto. The highlight of the evening was a special tribute to Lô Borges, one of the icons of Minas Gerais music.
More than just a show, “Clássicos de Minas” was a collective gesture of love for art and social transformation. All the artists performed voluntarily, and the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards maintaining the Orchestra’s activities and the social projects of the Ramacrisna Institute, which has been working for 66 years to promote education, culture, and inclusion in Betim and the metropolitan region.
The event also reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, offering sign language interpreters and audio description so that people with disabilities could fully enjoy the musical experience.
Visibly moved, conductor Eliseu Barros highlighted the symbolic nature of the concert. “Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra is a gesture of gratitude to our roots. This concert reflects the solidarity that unites artists, friends, and supporters of the Institute, an invitation to witness how music can transform lives and bring out the best in us,” he said.
For Gabriella Prado, communications coordinator at the Ramacrisna Institute, the show synthesized two decades of social impact. “The Orchestra carries stories of overcoming adversity and dreams come true. Seeing these young people alongside great artists is living proof that music transforms. It is a celebration of what Ramacrisna has achieved over the years and an invitation for more people to be part of this chain of culture and solidarity,” she said.
With an emotional audience, the concert ended with a standing ovation, symbolizing not only the audience’s recognition, but also the strength of a trajectory built with dedication, partnerships, and purpose.
About the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra
The Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 2005 with the aim of bringing the beauty of classical and instrumental music to children and young people at personal and social risk in the community of Vianópolis, in Betim. It currently has 50 teenagers and young people in its ranks.
Throughout its 20 years of existence, the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra has performed at the main cultural venues in the Belo Horizonte metropolitan area, including: CCBB, Bradesco Theater, Cine Theatro Brasil Vallourec, Palácio das Artes, PUC Natural Science Museum, among others. Its diverse repertoire and high artistic quality have attracted partnerships with renowned artists, including Italian tenors Claudio Mattioli and Massimiliano Barbolini, lyric tenor Felipe Peletta, Seu Jorge, Saulo Laranjeira, Trio Amaranto, DuContra, the band Tianastacia, American violinist Elizabeth Fayette, Spala from the Minas Gerais Philharmonic, and major Brazilian artists such as Céu, Fernanda Takai, Mônica Salmaso, Joyce Moreno, Lô Borges, Beto Guedes, Flávio Venturine, Toninho Horta, among others.
