The 31st Óbidos International Piano Week concluded with more than 2,000 attendees and sold-out venues, marking an edition distinguished by the high artistic standard of its programme, the presence of internationally renowned performers, and a strong commitment to the training of young pianists. Over the course of more than a month, SIPO presented events in Óbidos, Caldas da Rainha and Lisbon, reaffirming its importance within Portugal’s musical landscape.

The Óbidos International Piano Week (SIPO) has concluded its 31st edition following more than a month of programming dedicated to the piano, welcoming over 2,000 audience members and achieving sold-out performances throughout the festival.
Organised by ACIM – Associação de Cursos Internacionais de Música, the 2026 edition stood out for the exceptional artistic calibre of its guest performers, the breadth and diversity of its programme, and the festival’s increasingly strong international profile.

Throughout the festival, SIPO presented concerts at a number of distinguished venues, including the CCC – Caldas da Rainha Cultural and Congress Centre, the Leopoldo de Almeida Museum, Fundação Oriente in Lisbon, and the Church of Misericórdia in Óbidos, within the town’s historic walls. The latter once again played a particularly special role in the programme, with its exceptional acoustics and distinctive atmosphere providing an ideal setting in which to experience music of the highest quality.

The festival opened at the CCC Caldas da Rainha with the Gulbenkian Orchestra, conducted by José Eduardo Gomes, and pianist Boris Berman, in a programme devoted to Beethoven. Over the following weeks, SIPO welcomed a distinguished line-up of internationally acclaimed artists across solo recitals, chamber music performances and concerts featuring a variety of ensembles.

One of the highlights of this year’s edition took place on 10 July with a concert by 100 Caminhos, featuring the world premiere of Capriccio by Sérgio Azevedo. Written for piano and brass quintet, the work was performed by pianist Diana Botelho Vieira alongside 100 Caminhos. The new composition formed part of a wide-ranging programme spanning musical styles from the Baroque to contemporary music and rock, underlining SIPO’s commitment to fostering new creation and bringing new works to the stage.

The programme also featured a number of notable performances by artists including Boris Berman, Wei-Yi Yang, Andrea Bonatta and James Giles, as well as a recital by SIPO’s artistic director, Manuela Gouveia, with violinist Eliseu Silva. Their programme was devoted to two Beethoven sonatas, including the celebrated Kreutzer Sonata.

The edition also featured performances by the 2019 and 2025 laureates of the ACIM/Antena 2 Interpretation Prize, who gave three concerts as part of SIPO, including an appearance at Fundação Oriente in Lisbon. This final concert was recorded by RTP Antena 2 for later broadcast, extending the reach of the laureates’ work beyond the festival itself.

Education remains one of SIPO’s core pillars. In 2026, the festival welcomed 22 active participants to its residential piano masterclasses, representing Portugal, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Korea. The group brought together highly accomplished young pianists, guided by five internationally renowned teachers and pedagogues.
Open to the public, the masterclasses also attracted considerable interest, offering audiences a rare opportunity to observe the teaching process at close hand and to follow the artistic development of the young performers throughout the residency.

The edition also concluded with the presentation of the ACIM/Antena 2 Prize, awarded jointly to Otis Prescott-Mason of New Zealand and Thomas Kelly of the United Kingdom. The distinction recognises the work and artistic standard demonstrated by the participants throughout the masterclasses, while reaffirming one of SIPO’s central missions: to provide young musicians with the conditions and opportunities to deepen their training and advance their professional careers.