The impact of the Cascais Ópera – International Vocal Competition is also measured by how its awards translate into real professional opportunities for its participants. In 2024, two young Portuguese sopranos — Teresa Sales Rebordãoand Constança Melo — were awarded professional contracts, joining the list of laureates whose talents are recognized with performances on prestigious stages.
These artistic contracts were granted as part of the 2024 edition, a direct result of strategic partnerships established by Cascais Ópera with renowned festivals and cultural institutions. These commitments are now materializing in high-profile performances.
Soprano Teresa Sales Rebordão will perform two recitals at the 2025 Marvão International Music Festival, under the artistic direction of Christoph Poppen and Juliane Banse. On 19 July, she will interpret works by French composers Lili and Nadia Boulanger, accompanied by pianist Silke Avenhaus, at the Church of São Tiago. On 24 July, she will join an international cast in a performance of Johannes Brahms’ Liebeslieder-Walzer, alongside Sunhae Im, Ilyà Dovnar, Nikolay Borchev, Marcelo Amaral, and Tae-Hyung Kim, in the Courtyard of Marvão Castle.
Also recognized at Cascais Ópera, Constança Melo will fulfil her award with a solo recital at the Mafra Music Festival, on 26 July 2025, at the Beatriz Costa Municipal Auditorium. Titled “Open Letter to Constança Melo”, the programme will be accompanied on piano by Eduardo Jordão, in a performance that celebrates her rising artistic journey.
More than just a competition, Cascais Ópera stands as a platform for professional growth and visibility, fostering partnerships that transform talent into stage experience. These performances are a clear example of how the festival delivers on its promise to propel young careers — offering more than recognition: offering a path forward.
