The International Organ Festival returns to Porto with about 30 concerts: the 6th edition kicks off at the historic Lapa Church on October 17

Porto’s pipe organs will have a full schedule in the coming months. The International Organ and Sacred Music Festival (FIOMS) kicks off on October 17 at 9:30 p.m. at the Lapa Church with the presentation of the program for its 6th edition. This will be followed by approximately 30 concerts in historic venues throughout the city, featuring national and international performers.

The opening night continues with a concert by Filipe Veríssimo, the festival’s artistic director, who makes his debut as a performer at FIOMS with works by Bach, Frank, and Vierne.

On October 19, at 9:30 p.m., organist Juan Paradell Solé will perform at the Cathedral in a concert marking the 41st anniversary of the cathedral’s organ. On the same day, at the same time, Thomas Ospital will present an organ concert at the Church of Lapa.

The program also includes two organ recitals: Rui Fernando Soares and Pieter van Dijk will perform at Clérigos Church, and Gregório Gomes and Luca Pollastri at the Cathedral.

The six organs of the Mafra Basilica are the focus of the event on October 22 at 9:30 p.m. at the Church of São João Novo. André Ferreira will give a lecture, followed by a performance by the British chamber choir “Cantores,” conducted by Simon Harper. The group will perform again the following day at a concert in the Church of Senhora da Conceição.

Choral music takes center stage on November 7 at the Lapa Church. The Lapa Symphonic Choir, the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, and various soloists, conducted by Osvaldo Ferreira, will perform the Kyrie and Gloria from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B minor.

From November 2 to 5, the festival is organizing a masterclass in choral and orchestral conducting. Immediately following, on November 7 and 8, the 2026 Pueri Cantores National Congress will take place, featuring Fr. Marco Frisina and the Pequenos Cantores. The congress includes a conference, two concerts, and a Mass at the Cathedral. The lineup also features organist Lucie Zaková and the British choir Voces Viatorum.

For Jorge Sobrado, Porto City Council’s Councilor for Culture and Heritage, the festival connects two aspects that are very characteristic of Porto: heritage and music. By bringing performers to historic venues, he argues, FIOMS allows these places to be “experienced and rediscovered through music.” The complete program is available on the official FIOMS website.