The sound that has swept crowds along takes on new symphonic contours. Between September 17 and 27, the Nova Orquestra (New Orchestra) holds the special tour Axé 40 Anos (Axé 40 Years), with performances in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Luís. The project unites tradition and innovation, celebrating four decades of the musical genre and bringing together symphonic music and the classics of axé.

On this journey between past and future, the show will also feature the brilliance of the Pantanal, with the participation of young musicians from the Instituto Moinho Cultural Sul-Americano (South American Moinho Cultural Institute), of Corumbá. Five members of the Vale Música program join the Nova Orquestra under the direction of Ludhymila Bruzzi: Leandro Henrique, Vitória Elisany, Analice Martins, Roque Junior and Valério Reis.

The repertoire brings together hits that marked generations, such as Baianidade Nagô, Eva, Prefixo de Verão, Milla e Vem, Meu Amor. The idea is to connect violins, cellos and winds with percussion, cavaquinho and guitar, in a dialogue between symphonic sound and Bahian rhythms.

For the young musicians, the experience is unique. Vitória Elisany, who has been part of Moinho Cultural for eight years, highlighted her anticipation. “I’m very happy to take part for the second time in the Nova Orquestra. Expectations are very high, and I am deeply grateful to Moinho and to the Programa Vale Música for this opportunity,” she said.

Cellist Valério Reis, of the Orquestra de Câmara do Pantanal (Pantanal Chamber Orchestra), stressed the relevance of the initiative. “It’s an honor to be on the Axé 40 Anos tour of the Nova Orquestra, a project of the Instituto Cultural Vale in partnership with Olga Produções. The repertoire is contagious, well known to the audience and brings incredible energy with it. It will be an intense routine of rehearsals and performances, but I’m very eager for this experience,” he said.

The project is produced by OLGA and the Ministério da Cultura (Ministry of Culture), sponsored by the Instituto Cultural Vale (Vale Cultural Institute), as part of the Programa Vale Música. More than celebrating the trajectory of a musical genre, the tour seeks to promote artistic training and expand access to culture.

For Márcia Rolon, artistic director of Moinho Cultural, the participation reinforces the institution’s role in developing young talent. “It’s a source of pride for Moinho Cultural to take part in this initiative, giving our young people the experience of sharing the stage with great musicians of the national scene and celebrating the strength of a musical movement that is a symbol of Brazilian joy,” she said.