ALL ABOUT
LAGARTO
Past. Present. Future.
A unique combo composed of Geraldo Gomes on cello, Rita Carreiras on viola and Renato Oliveira on didgeridoo. A cinematic sound full of scenes of temperate landscapes with striking colors and exotic emotions derived from the fusion of these three instruments. LAGARTO's music is a journey into the world of classical music with compositions inspired by the Portuguese classical composer Joly Braga Santos, but also with an original approach where the fusion of styles makes us stop in moments where we feel the world moving around us.
Meet the band
Viola D'Arco
Rita Carreiras
A Harmony of Strings and Creative Ventures
Rita Carreiras, a distinguished Viola D'arco artist, graduated with honors from the Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo under the mentorship of Professor Jorge Alves. Her unwavering dedication and passion for music are reflected in her outstanding academic achievement, culminating in a remarkable average grade of 17.
Currently pursuing a Master's degree in Creative Industries Management at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rita extends her profound musical talents to explore the realms where art and business converge.
A prominent figure in the orchestral scene, Rita regularly graces the stage with renowned ensembles such as the Orquestra Clássica de Espinho, Orquestra Clássica do Politécnico do Porto, Orquestra Bomtempo, and Orquestra Filarmónica de Braga. Her collaboration extends beyond the classical realm, as she also lends her expertise to Two for Tango, contributing to the sonic landscapes of diverse events.
Rita's musical journey began at the Conservatório de Música Calouste Gulbenkian de Braga, where she not only completed the V and VIII degrees with honors but also earned accolades for her musical merit. Her commitment to excellence led her to participate in prestigious orchestral programs, including the OJ.COM stages in 2015 and 2016.
Throughout her musical odyssey, Rita has sought inspiration from the masters, participating in masterclasses with esteemed violists such as Ana Bela Chaves, Jean-Loup Lecomte, Pedro Muñoz, Paul Wakabayashi, Tatjana Masurenko, and Mark Tooten. Additionally, her chamber music endeavors have been enriched by the guidance of Jon Thorne and Caspar Frantz.
Recognized for her chamber music prowess, Rita was awarded the 3rd prize in the 2018 Concurso Nacional de Música de Câmara de Vila Verde. She has also left her musical footprint on international stages, performing at the Festival in Spiritum in 2018 and 2019 and gracing the 45th International Viola Congress in Rotterdam in 2018 with the Ensemble de Violas da ESMAE.
Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians is evident in her role as a masterclass instructor at the Viola Fest 2019 held at the Conservatório de Música do Porto. Rita Carreiras continues to weave her musical tapestry, harmonizing tradition with innovation, and leaving an indelible mark on the world of Viola D'arco.
Violoncelo
Geraldo Gomes
Exploring Musical Boundaries with Passion and Purpose
Born in 1996, Geraldo Gomes is a cellist whose musical journey defies convention and embraces diversity. Trained at the Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo, Geraldo's roots in classical music serve as a launchpad for his exploration into an eclectic array of genres, ranging from folk and jazz to Latin and electronic music.
Beyond the confines of traditional musical realms, Geraldo sees music as a powerful tool for communication and awareness. This belief led him to pursue the Music Animator Training Course at Casa da Música. Guided by esteemed instructors like Tim Steiner and Sam Mason, this course aims to create artistic projects within communities of varying socio-cultural contexts. Committed to extending this work, Geraldo actively collaborates on musical projects that intervene in society, including street performances, partnerships with academic music groups, and artistic expressions conveying ecological and human rights messages.
Delving into the world of theater, Geraldo's recent interest in sound design adds a new dimension to his artistic repertoire. He collaborates seamlessly with actors and performers in the vibrant city of Porto, blending his musical expertise with the theatrical realm.
A regular performer alongside the Venezuelan singer-songwriter Yoyo Borobia, Geraldo co-leads a duo project and collaborates with various Latin American musicians such as the Uruguayan percussionist Andres Tarabbia Pancho and guitarist Fernando Caneca. In this dynamic space, he finds opportunities to craft string arrangements, debuted in 2019.
Venturing into production, Geraldo is currently the musical producer for Netos da Bruxa, specializing in composition and arrangements for the band. His evolving artistic journey showcases not only his prowess as a cellist but also his commitment to breaking musical boundaries and making a meaningful impact on society through the universal language of music.
Didgeridoo
Renato Oliveira
A Musical Odyssey from Roots to Electronica
Renato Oliveira, a multifaceted musician and the visionary founder of Natural Groove Records (NGR), embarked on his musical journey with an insatiable curiosity that has taken him across continents and genres.
His rhythmic exploration began with drum lessons at the Jazz School of Porto, setting the foundation for a diverse musical palette. Renato delved into the unique sounds of the didgeridoo through workshops across Europe and embraced the traditional art of the sitar during immersive lessons in India. His rhythmical education extended to African percussion and the vibrant Candombé of Uruguay.
Renato's formal musical training at the Academy of Lisbon culminated in a comprehensive musical education, and he further honed his skills through a Socio-Cultural Animation Training for Trainers at Casa da Música. Not content with stopping there, he delved into Economics in 1997 but redirected his focus towards completing a specialization in Human Resources Management at the University Lusiada Porto.
His corporate foray at Sonae Indústria was a stepping stone, but Renato's heart and soul belonged to music. Since 2004, he has dedicated himself exclusively to the art form he loves.
Renato's musical endeavors have been diverse and dynamic. From projects deeply rooted in traditional music, such as Retimbrar, OliveTreeDance, Roots Caravan, Stopestra, Drop Étnica, Till Sunday Pirate, Synaesthetic Magic, and Lagarto, to more electronic ventures like Psayagata and Magnetic Voodoo, he showcases a spectrum of influences.
Onstage, Renato has accompanied and collaborated with an array of musical luminaries, including Blasted Mechanism, Manel Cruz, Nana Vasconcelos, Antonio Paes, Tim Steiner, and a plethora of other accomplished artists. His involvement with Toca a Rufar, alongside mentors like Rui Junior, reflects his commitment to the percussive arts.
Renato Oliveira's musical tapestry is a testament to his passion for exploration, cultural fusion, and dedication to the transformative power of music. As the founder of Natural Groove Records, he continues to shape the musical landscape, bridging traditions and electronic innovations.