New single: Cristina Branco releases "Canção da Paciência"

The single “Canção da Paciência”, available from today on digital platforms, will be part of the setlist of the show “Cristina Branco sings José Afonso,” a project through which the artist honors the most iconic singer-songwriter of Portugal’s Carnation Revolution.

“... I am like calmness itself; I know how to wait.”

“This single sentence sums up everything about this song. There are two possible readings. The first, and most obvious, is the story of the father who waits for years for the moment to avenge his daughter’s death; the second speaks of the time it takes to mature a goal, a protest — without doubt, without fear. Perhaps this is what power fears most: not the protest that shouts, but the one that refuses to kneel, fearlessly, steadfast, with love as its banner. Bringing this reflection to today, to the debate around radical and uncompromising speech that has forcefully entered our everyday language — among those who seem to have no more time — radical is this increasingly tolerated violence against those who simply seek peace, love, and truth. Let us rise up, because beauty waits around every corner.”

Cristina Branco

Three months after the release of “Teresa Torga” — a song in which Cristina Branco deepens the tribute to José Afonso that began with the album "Abril" (2007) — the artist now returns to the world of the iconic singer-songwriter. This time, she explores his work from a singular and illuminating perspective: through a female gaze.

Cristina Branco revisits José Afonso’s work alongside her long-time musical partners: At the piano, Ricardo Dias brings his lyrical and incisive signature; Bernardo Moreiraprovides a refined rhythmic and harmonic foundation on double bass; Alexandre Frazãoshowcases his versatility and rhythmic sensitivity on drums; and Mário Delgado adds a unique soundscape on electric guitar, blending tradition and modernity. Joining them is the promising talent of Tomás Marques on saxophone.

Tourdata:

16 FEV ISTAMBUL (TR) CRR Konser Salonu

08 MAR POISSY (FR) Théâtre de Poissy

04 ABR HEERLEN (NL) Theater Heerlen

05 ABR BRUGE (BE) Cultuurcentrum

06 ABR NOORDWIJK (NL) Oude Jeroenskerk

09 ABR HOOFDDORP (NL) C.Theater

10 ABR AMSTERDAM (NL) Theatre de Meervaart

11 ABR DA GRONINGEN (NL) De Oosterpoort

13 ABR 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH (NL) Theatre ann de Parade

15 ABR UTRECHT (NL) TivoliVredenburg

16 ABR ANTWERP (BE) De Roma

17 ABR GHENT (BE) Ha Concerts

18 ABR MIDDELBURG (NL) Oostkerk

19 ABR MIDDELBURG (NL) Oostkerk

25 ABR TAVIRA (PT) Mercado da Ribeira ("Canta José Afonso")

26 ABR VIANA DO CASTELO (PT) Centro Cultural ("Canta José Afonso")

05 MAI PRAGUE (CZK) w/ João Paulo Esteves da Silva ("Amoras")

09 MAI PAMIERS (FR) Salle Du Jeu De Mail

27 MAI MÜNCHEN (DE) Prinzregententheater

11 JUN SOFIA (BG) Bulgaria Hall

12 JUN INNSBRUCK (AT) Treibhaus

13 JUN HOMBURG (DE) Kurtheater Bad Homburg v. d. Hohe

15 JUN WEILBURG (DE) Weilburger Schlosskonzerte

12 JUL VILA NOVA DE GAIA (PT) w/ Sinfónica Porto Casa da Música

31 JUL PONTE DE LIMA (PT) Parque do Amado

08 AGO VALLOUISE (FR) w/ Ensemble Des Equilibres

10 OUT NEW YORK (EUA) Carnegie Hall ("Amália in America")

17 DEZ PORTO (PT) Casa da Música ("Canta José Afonso")

About Chrstina Branco:

With nearly 30 years of career, 18 released albums and countless concerts all over the world, Cristina Branco is an tireless ambassador for Portuguese culture and language. Traditional music is her main aesthetic root, but the influence of jazz, literature, and the musicians she shares the stage with lend her music a universal character and sublime charm.

She began her artistic journey in the Netherlands with "Cristina Branco in Holland" (1997), an album that became a true success in that country. In the following years, her name resonated throughout Europe, with sold-out dates in numerous cities. "Murmúrios" (1998) and "Post-Scriptum" (2000) reinforced this successful moment, and Cristina was awarded two Prix Choc by the magazine Le Monde de la Musique.

This was followed by Abril (2007), an album featuring versions of songs by José Afonso; Kronos (2009); and Fado Tango (2011), her iconic tenth studio album, which included collaborations with several renowned Portuguese authors and foreshadowed the artistic rebirth that would arrive a few years later with Menina (2016). Considered the Best Album of the Year by the Portuguese Society of Authors (SPA), it became the first chapter of a trilogy that includes Branco (2018) and Eva (2020). Across these works, Cristina Branco brought together unusual collaborations that blended styles and genres, resulting in unique and innovative interpretations of fado.

In 2022, marking her 25-year career, she performed over 40 concerts across Europe and released "Amoras numa Tarde de Outono", an album in collaboration with pianist João Paulo Esteves da Silva. The most recent album, "Mãe", released in 2023, is a unique musical creation in which Cristina Branco lends her singular and expressive voice to a variety of authors, continuing her artistic tradition. Both on record and on stage, "Mãe" offers audiences an original repertoire that takes them on an immersive journey of rediscovering fado, exploring its emotional depths and nuances. "Senhora do Mar Redondo", the lead single, is proof of this.

In 2024, "Abril – Cristina Branco canta José Afonso" returned to national stages in an engaging show with arrangements and musical direction by pianist Ricardo Dias. Póvoa de Varzim, Vila Real, Covilhã, Grândola, Loulé (Festival MED), and Lisbon (São Luiz Teatro Municipal) were some of the venues that, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, had the privilege of hosting this tribute to the repertoire of the singer-songwriter of Freedom.

In 2025, the show has been enriched with new versions and arrangements, maintaining its essence while offering a renewed experience. The new singles "Teresa Torga" and "Canção da Paciência" are the latest and vibrant expression of this project.