The cello is the bowed string instrument of the tenor and bass register of the violin family. Its morphology shares the essential architecture of the violin, but in substantially larger proportions, requiring the instrumentalist to play it seated, supporting it on the ground with a retractable metal rod called an endpin. It has four strings tuned in perfect fifths (C, G, D, A), situated exactly one octave below the viola.
Acoustically, the sound is produced by the friction of the bow on the strings or by plucking them (pizzicato). The voluminous soundbox remarkably amplifies the low frequencies, resulting in a deep, warm, and extraordinarily expressive timbre, often compared to the human voice. The use of the "thumb position" technique allows it to access a brilliant and penetrating high register, giving it an enormous tessitural range.
Historically, the cello emerged in northern Italy during the 16th century. During the Baroque period, its main function was confined to the performance of the basso continuo. Its morphological standardization is due to Antonio Stradivari, who at the beginning of the 18th century slightly reduced the instrument's dimensions (the "forma B" model). Its definitive emancipation as a solo concert instrument was consolidated in the Classical period.
Teachers
Courses with this instrument
She began her studies at ARTAVE, with Katerina Mikusova. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Cello, with Professor Clélia Vital, and her Master's degree in Music Education, at the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa. In 2014 and 2015, she performed as a soloist with the ESML Orchestra.
In 2014, she obtained the 2nd Young Musicians Award in Chamber Music, advanced level, with the AllaBreve Quartet.
At ESML, in chamber music, worked with Irene Lima and Paulo Pacheco. Attended open classes in chamber music with Olga Prats, Artur Pizzaro, and Kyril Zlotnikov.
Had the opportunity to attend cello masterclasses with: Claudio Bohórquez, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Marc Coppey, Daniel Grosgurin, Ferhan Grosgurin, Levon Mouradian, Irene Lima, Filipe Quaresma, Catherine Strynckx, Pietro Serafin, Márcio Carneiro, Stefan Popov, Jed Barahal, Roman Garioud, Paulo Gaio Lima, Jaroslav Mikus.
She collaborated and performed in the country's main venues with the Gulbenkian Orchestra, Algarve Orchestra, Portuguese Symphony Orchestra (TNSC), where she held a temporary tutti contract.
From November 2017 to April 2018, she completed a Performer Diploma, as part of Violoncelos de Santa Cristina, in Santo Tirso, where she worked with Maria Macedo and David Cruz.
Since 2018 and 2019, she has been teaching at the Music Conservatories of Olhão and Loulé.