There are moments when music does more than fill a room—it travels across time, reviving stories that were once on the verge of being forgotten. That’s exactly what unfolded in Goa this past weekend, as rare compositions by Nicolau Medina Ribas were brought back to life in two thoughtfully curated performances that blended history, emotion, and cultural connection.
Organised by Communicare Trust, the concerts took place across two contrasting yet equally evocative venues—the Black Box at Kala Academy and the heritage-rich Figueiredo Mansion. Each space offered its own atmosphere: one intimate and contemporary, the other steeped in history, echoing the very legacy the music sought to revive.
Led by Portuguese violinist Eliseu Silva and pianist Olga Amaro, the performances centred on Ribas’ works—compositions that were once nearly lost at his estate in Porto before being rediscovered and preserved through dedicated archival efforts. As the notes unfolded, there was a quiet sense of rediscovery in the air, as if the audience was not just listening, but witnessing something being returned to the world.
For Olga Amaro, the experience carried a deeply emotional weight. Performing in Goa, she reflected, felt like standing at a crossroads of histories—two cultures separated by geography yet intertwined through centuries of shared past. That connection was not just historical, but deeply human, shaping the way the music was received and understood. She spoke of feeling both honoured and responsible—honoured to share this music, and responsible for presenting it with authenticity and care.
There were also moments of personal intimacy that added to the uniqueness of the experience. Amaro shared, with a touch of lightness, that the Panaji performance marked her first time playing barefoot—an act that made her feel more grounded and connected, not just to the stage but to the audience itself. It was a small detail, but one that reflected the larger spirit of the concerts: unfiltered, sincere, and deeply felt.
Violinist Eliseu Silva echoed similar sentiments, noting the attentiveness and emotional engagement of Goan listeners. Even for those unfamiliar with Ribas’ work, the response was immediate and genuine. There was a sense that the music transcended its unfamiliarity, speaking directly to the audience in a language that needed no translation.
For Nalini Elvino de Sousa, founder and manager of Communicare Trust, the concerts marked a significant milestone. Not only did they celebrate the organisation’s 20th anniversary, but they also introduced, perhaps for the first time in Goa, the work of a Portuguese composer from that era in a live setting. The addition of contextual explanations during the performance helped audiences engage more deeply, turning the concerts into both a musical and educational experience.
Beyond the performances themselves, what lingered was a message—one that Amaro shared with young musicians. It was simple, almost quiet in its delivery: to keep going, to stay with what you love, and to trust in the joy that music brings. In a world often driven by outcomes and expectations, it was a reminder that art, at its core, is about connection.
And that connection was evident throughout the weekend. Between continents, between centuries, and between people sitting in a room, listening together. In reviving the works of Nicolau Medina Ribas, these concerts did more than revisit the past—they made it present again, if only for a night, and perhaps that’s where their true magic lies.
