RODRIGO LEÃO REVISITS ALMA MATER AT MISTY FEST 2026

Rodrigo Leão returns to Misty Fest for three special concerts. On 23 and 24 November at Casa da Música, and on 18 December at Coliseu dos Recreios, he will celebrate the 26th anniversary of *Alma Mater*, the acclaimed album that redefined his career. Over three evenings of emotion, intimacy and intensity, the composer revisits, in its entirety, one of the most significant works of contemporary Portuguese music, accompanied by an ensemble of excellence, a choir and special guests.

The album that marks Rodrigo Leão’s musical transition

Released in 2000 by Sony Music, Alma Mater established itself as a turning point in the composer’s career. It was in this work that his first compositions structured as songs emerged most clearly, signalling a renewal of his musical universe. This transformation was also reflected in the live line-up, which came to include drums, bass and guitar.

Featuring songs sung in Portuguese, Spanish and Latin, the album was recorded at Regiestúdio with the participation of some of the country’s finest musicians. Produced by Rodrigo Leão (who was experiencing one of the most significant phases of his personal life following the birth of his first child), Pedro Oliveira and Tiago Lopes, the album stood out for its sophistication, emotional depth and cinematic quality.

On *Alma Mater*, Rodrigo Leão achieved the feat of infusing his music with some of the pop sensibility he had previously explored, naturally achieving success. Contributing to this were songs such as “A Casa”, featuring the vocals of Adriana Calcanhotto, and “Pasión”, performed by Lula Pena. On this album, the composer proved that he is not afraid to explore new paths and that his music possesses multiple facets, capable of illustrating different states of mind.

Received with enthusiasm by both the public and critics, Alma Mater became one of the most celebrated works of the decade in Portugal. It was named “Album of the Year” at the DN+ 2000 awards and included among the best albums of the year by Blitz, a publication that would also recognise Rodrigo Leão as Artist of the Year.