Maraca

Maraca is a Czech music group that blends world music, fusion jazz, alternative music, psychedelic folk, and other genres. They have been recording and performing since 2001. The band primarily sets to music the poems of Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa and releases its albums under the Indies Scope label. Their second album Longe was nominated for the Anděl Award in 2004. A prominent figure in the band is singer and quinton (five-string viola) player Gabriela Vermelho, who received the Alfréd Radok Award in 2005. The music of Maraca was orchestrated by contemporary Czech composer Tomáš Ille. The premiere of the project, titled Maraca Symphonic, took place in cooperation with the South Bohemian Philharmonic in 2023.

“I took my heart in my hands... softly laid it on my palms... tried to read it... as it lay near like a leaf... spellbound, I stared like one... dying, trembling from a dream…” — Fernando Pessoa

Maraca is elusive, just like the poetry of Fernando Pessoa, whose verses thread through all of their work. Their music fuses Moravian and Arabic melodies, both delicate and searing tones, polyrhythms and electronics, all woven together by Gabriela Vermelho’s unmistakable voice.

Gabriela Vermelho – quinton, vocal; Fillak – guitar, oud; Michael Nosek – drums; Martin Bakyta – bass; Robert prokop – samples, didgeridoo.

Admission: seated 400 Kč, standing 250 Kč. There is no need to reserve a seat when purchasing a seating ticket. To reserve a specific seat, please write your request in the notes when purchasing your ticket. Fulfillment of your request cannot be guaranteed.

Band website: www.maraca.cz