The 21st edition of the Santa Catarina International Music Festival (FEMUSC) is in full swing, featuring a special and diverse program for the event’s opening weekend. Seven concert series take place daily—running from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM—at various locations within the SCAR complex.
In addition, there is the “Espaço da Música” (Music Space), a new feature this year that combines gastronomy and musical performances—including an open stage for anyone wishing to perform—in the area between the SCAR and ACIJS buildings.
As a gift from FEMUSC to mark Jaraguá do Sul’s 150th anniversary, two commemorative concerts will be held in public spaces on Friday (16) and Saturday (17) at 7:00 PM: at the Belo Vale site in the historic Rio da Luz neighborhood and at Via Verde Park, respectively.
Also on Saturday, the festival program inside SCAR begins at 10:00 AM with the “Musical Zoo” and a concert by the OSNI (Unidentified Symphony Orchestra)—a playful performance aimed at children and families, designed to entertain and bring the audience closer to classical music.
The complete schedule—including dates, times, locations, and access information—is available on the official website: 🔗 www.femusc.com.br. Tickets for all FEMUSC performances are free and become available 48 hours prior to each concert series. They can be picked up at the SCAR box office (open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) or obtained via the website, with a limit of two tickets per person.
Check out the program highlights below.
Friday (Jan 16)
7:00 PM: Performance by the Tchaikovsky Orchestra at the Belo Vale venue, in the Rio da Luz neighborhood. No tickets required.
8:30 PM: Opera Night at the SCAR Grand Theater. A total of 11 arias (songs) from famous operas will be performed, including pieces from the comic opera The Barber of Seville—featuring the iconic “Figaro… Figaro… Figaro…” passage. The performances range from comedy to romance, including works inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Saturday (Jan 17)
10:00 AM: Musical Zoo. An initiative allowing children to discover and explore the magical world of musical instruments. Instruments are placed at various locations throughout the Grand Theater, and the audience can try playing each one and experience their diverse sounds.
10:30 AM: OSNI Concert – Unidentified Symphony Orchestra. This playful performance features a conductor dressed as an astronaut and a lighthearted, funny storyline, aiming to entertain families and introduce people to classical music in a highly unconventional way. Tickets for the concert also grant access to the Musical Zoo.
Starting at 6:00 PM: A series of concerts in various spaces at SCAR, highlighted by the “Grand Concerts” at 8:30 PM in the Grand Theater. Performances include the “Violin Tango Concerto” and “Symphony No. 2 in E Minor” by the Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff—one of the most beautiful symphonies ever written, often featured in film scores.
7:00 PM: FEMUSC Symphonic Band Concert at Via Verde Park. Sixty musicians will take the stage—comprising high-level Brazilian and international students—playing a diverse range of instruments and a vast repertoire of works, some of which are reminiscent of movie soundtracks. No tickets required.
Sunday (Jan 18)
Starting at 6:00 PM: A series of concerts in various spaces at SCAR, highlighted by the “Grandes Concertos” (Great Concerts) series at 8:30 PM in the Grand Theater. This performance will be led by the FEMUSC Symphonic Band, making tickets highly sought-after.
The 21st FEMUSC is organized under the Federal Government’s Rouanet Law for Cultural Project Incentives. It features Master Sponsorship from Itaú, Laranjinha Itaú, and WEG; sponsorship from DR Aromas & Ingredientes, Auroracoop, Grupo Elian, Zanotti Elásticos, and Porto de Itapoá; support from Master Operações Portuárias, Mime, Menegotti, Martinelli Advogados, and Unisociesc; and is produced by SCAR, FEMUSC, the Department of Culture, Sport and Leisure, and the Jaraguá do Sul City Hall.
Image credit: Diego Redel
