QUARTETO CONTRATEMPUS

From her very first day there, Ludmila, a middling matryoshka, becomes the favourite disciple of the philanthropist and feminist Filosofova. Ludmila’s new life is spent amongst books, social events, lunches, teas, snacks, dinners and bubliks, a lot of bubliks. This traditional bread soon becomes as important a temptation as seal meat had once been. Moreover, Ludmila, in a casual meeting, gets to know Raskolnikov, protagonist of Crime and Punishment, the novel by Dostoevsky. Is it possible that this meeting will stop Raskolnikov from committing the crime that is to make him so infamous? Perhaps he willturn his attentions to the young Ludmila. However, the young lady is about to experience an unexpected about-turn: the significant modification to her diet has caused her body to change rapidly. There is only one person who can help her find the path back to happiness and the mirror: Dr. Musa Ramelov, the Czar’s nutritionist.”
- Mário João Alves 


QUARTETO CONTRATEMPUS is a contemporary music quartet founded, in 2008, by Teresa Nunes (Soprano), Crispim Luz (Clarinet), Susana Lima (Violoncello) and Brenda Vidal Hermida (Piano), while they were all studying at ESMAE, in Porto. Their aim, in taking this project beyond the realms of academia, is to bring the sublime art that is music to a wider audience. Contratempus produces and plays contemporary musical works and has collaborated with numerous composers, librettists and directors, includingFernando Lapa, Daniel Moreira, João Guilherme Ripper, Fátima Fonte, Nuno Cortê-Real, António Durães, Mário João Alves and Tiago Schwäbl, amongst others. Their creations have premièred in Portugal, Spain and Brazil.