A newly-established concert hall in one of Brazil's biggest favelas is offering free classical performances to residents, bringing professional-grade acoustics right to the heart of the busy neighborhood.
Located in Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, the Heliopolis favela is home to approximately 200,000 residents, but amid the noisy hustle and bustle of life here, a brand new venue is delivering more refined sounds to the local area.
The newly-inaugurated Bacarelli Concert Hall, situated on the main thoroughfare of Heliopolis, features 530 seat, and eleven acoustic reflectors suspended above the stage, with these panels able to be easily adjusted to control sound diffusion according to the specific needs of different orchestras.
Adjacent to the Bacarelli Concert Hall is the Bacarelli Institute, where daily classes and rehearsals are held. Founded in 1996, the institute provides free music education to the local community.
Most of its students come from the Heliopolis neighborhood, and over 1,650 children have received training here to date.
"I feel awesome studying here. I've made many friends, learned all kinds of songs, and the institute has provided me with an instrument and a better future," said Julia Costa Luz, a young student.
The school aims to put its brightest musical talents on a pathway to top-level performance, with Edilson Venturelli, the CEO of the Baccarelli Institute, saying students who achieve excellent grades are eligible to audition for the Institute's acclaimed orchestra.
Prior to the construction of the concert hall, the Baccarelli Orchestra had performed across Brazil, but never locally, as Heliopolis lacked its own dedicated venue. The hall's completion has since inspired the entire institute and the surrounding community.
Future performances at the Baccarelli Concert Hall are set to be open free of charge to Heliopolis residents. For many families in the neighborhood, this will be their first introduction to the world of classical music.
Brazil's first favela concert hall brings classical music to heart of community
