THE OLDEST MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA IN EUROPE
The Madeira Mandolin Orchestra belongs to the Associação Recreio Musical União da Mocidade. It started with the foundation of the Association on February 18th 1913, and has its seat at the parish of São Roque, Funchal – Madeira. 
Constituted mostly by young musicians, all formed at the group’s schools, the Orchestra seeks not only to evidenciate the mandolin sonorities, but also, to preserve and dynamize the long existing Madeiran musical tradition. On its early years, the creativity and zeal of Ernesto Serrão, then conductor and composer, have contributed decisively to the quality development of the Orchestra, of which he was the director from 1924 to 1935.
Without ever interrupting its activity, the Orchestra reached the 70’s and, for the first time, its musical studies were extended to the female sex, thus creating a new dynamic that since then has been involving the entire group.
In 1987, the Orchestra organized the 2nd Meeting of Regional Mandolin Ensembles and Orchestras and has also participated in all the subsequent meetings.
In 1993, the group was invited to Santarém – Portugal, by the "Típica Scalabitana Orchestra" to perform at their 47th anniversary festivities.
The group's first international appearance was on April 1994 in the 5th Francisco Tárrega International Orchestras Festival in Valencia – Spain.
On February 1996, on its 83rd anniversary, the Orchestra released its first CD, entitled "A BEM DA ARTE". Its second one, “A Bem da Arte II”, was launched in 1998.
In 1999, by invitation of the Coimbra’s University Ensemble Academy, the Orchestra held a concert in the Machado de Castro’s Chapel Museum and also at the Gil Vicente Theatre, in Coimbra. The group’s third CD, entitled “Bandolins”, was released on November of that year.
In 2001 the Orchestra had a Cultural Interchange with the Ensemble de Mandolines de Bigorre – France.
In May 2002 the Orchestra toured the south of England, promoting eight concerts: in the Playhouse Theatre, Weston Super-Mare, Bristol, Bath, Wells, Salisbury, Portsmouth, Maidenhead and at the St. George’s Chapel, in Windor, the latter being part of the official commemorations of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden
Jubilee.
In June 2004 the Orchestra released its first DVD, recorded by occasion of the 91st anniversary Concert Commemoration.
In June 2006 the Orchestra participated at the 6th Mandolin Orchestras International Festival, in Remiremont – France.
On September 22nd 2007, the Orchestra held a concert at the Die Buhne Theatre, in the city of St. Polten, Austria, as part of the Hofe Festival. Two months later, in November, the Orchestra was invited and participated at the Coimbra’s Music Festival, promoting three concerts.
Eurico Martins is the driving force behind the Music Schools and directs the Madeira Mandolin Orchestra since 1992.
Constituted mostly by young musicians, all formed at the group’s schools, the Orchestra seeks not only to evidenciate the mandolin sonorities, but also, to preserve and dynamize the long existing Madeiran musical tradition. On its early years, the creativity and zeal of Ernesto Serrão, then conductor and composer, have contributed decisively to the quality development of the Orchestra, of which he was the director from 1924 to 1935.
Without ever interrupting its activity, the Orchestra reached the 70’s and, for the first time, its musical studies were extended to the female sex, thus creating a new dynamic that since then has been involving the entire group.
In 1987, the Orchestra organized the 2nd Meeting of Regional Mandolin Ensembles and Orchestras and has also participated in all the subsequent meetings.
In 1993, the group was invited to Santarém – Portugal, by the "Típica Scalabitana Orchestra" to perform at their 47th anniversary festivities.
The group's first international appearance was on April 1994 in the 5th Francisco Tárrega International Orchestras Festival in Valencia – Spain.
On February 1996, on its 83rd anniversary, the Orchestra released its first CD, entitled "A BEM DA ARTE". Its second one, “A Bem da Arte II”, was launched in 1998.
In 1999, by invitation of the Coimbra’s University Ensemble Academy, the Orchestra held a concert in the Machado de Castro’s Chapel Museum and also at the Gil Vicente Theatre, in Coimbra. The group’s third CD, entitled “Bandolins”, was released on November of that year.
In 2001 the Orchestra had a Cultural Interchange with the Ensemble de Mandolines de Bigorre – France.
In May 2002 the Orchestra toured the south of England, promoting eight concerts: in the Playhouse Theatre, Weston Super-Mare, Bristol, Bath, Wells, Salisbury, Portsmouth, Maidenhead and at the St. George’s Chapel, in Windor, the latter being part of the official commemorations of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden
Jubilee.In June 2004 the Orchestra released its first DVD, recorded by occasion of the 91st anniversary Concert Commemoration.
In June 2006 the Orchestra participated at the 6th Mandolin Orchestras International Festival, in Remiremont – France.
On September 22nd 2007, the Orchestra held a concert at the Die Buhne Theatre, in the city of St. Polten, Austria, as part of the Hofe Festival. Two months later, in November, the Orchestra was invited and participated at the Coimbra’s Music Festival, promoting three concerts.
Eurico Martins is the driving force behind the Music Schools and directs the Madeira Mandolin Orchestra since 1992.
Bellow are some pictures of the Orchestra
Members of the Madeira Mandolin Orchestra and its Conductor, Eurico Martins.
The Madeira Mandolin Orchestra during one of its regular weekly concerts at the English Church, in Funchal, Madeira.
Some members of the Madeira Mandolin Orchestra during a concert.
Other members of this world famous Mandolin Orchestra.
NOTE: All these pictures were taken from the Madeira Mandolin Orchestra's main website: http://www.madeiramandolinorchestra.com/
whose visit we recommend in order to know more about this magnificent orchestra that so far has enchanted people from all over the world.
We do operate under the agreement of its Director and Conductor, Eurico Martins.
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