Brazilian multiartist Muato presents “Derê – Concerto Sobre o Pagode” at Teatro Firjan SESI Centro on December 8, blending 90s pagode, manifesto and poetry.

A manifesto-concert around 90s pagode

A powerful and singular voice in Brazil’s contemporary arts scene, Muato brings his latest show to Teatro Firjan SESI Centro. The performance, titled “Derê – Concerto Sobre o Pagode”, will be staged on Monday, December 8, at 7 p.m. The project offers an innovative dive into the pagode repertoire born in Rio’s suburbs in the 1990s.

After a successful run across Rio de Janeiro state, the show arrives in the city’s downtown with a fresh perspective on the genre. It revisits iconic songs while proposing new narratives around pagode and its global reach. In doing so, it merges concert, manifesto and spoken poetry.

Voice, loop pedals and live soundscapes

On stage, Muato performs with vocals, 8-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar and loop pedals. He also uses samples and other technological tools to build layered soundscapes in real time. The result is a poetic-musical show with a memorable repertoire.

The artist turns his voice into a territory of re-existence, in dialogue with memory and the sonic diaspora of pagode. The concert “dances” with remembrance to unfold new listening paths. Thus, audience members are invited to reflect on aesthetics, identity and prejudice surrounding the genre.

“In ‘DERÊ – CONCERTO SOBRE O PAGODE’, I present, in the form of a show-manifesto, a ritual that dances with memory to unfold it into new territories. A grounding in the terreiro of pagode that reveals the sonic and poetic diaspora often obscured by the veil of prejudice,” says Muato.

Creative team and artistic direction

The show’s overall direction is shared by Muato and Caroline Monlleo, while musical direction is signed by Marcelo Fedrá alongside the artist. Costumes are created by Fernanda Garcia, and the set design is by Raphael Elias. Lighting and projections are handled by Diego Avila.

Sound design is overseen by Bob Reis, with technical production by Apolo De Souza and press relations by Carlos Pinho. Together, the team builds a visual and sonic environment that amplifies Muato’s narrative. The staging reinforces the ritualistic feel of the concert.

Award-winning trajectory in music and theatre

Singer, composer, instrumentalist, actor and musical director, Muato has been consistently acclaimed by critics and audiences. His work has earned major awards and nominations in theatre and music. Among them are Brazil’s prestigious Prêmio Shell de Teatro (Music category), the APTR Musical Direction Award and the FITA Best Music Award.

Internationally, he has also received recognition at Germany’s Awards Deutscher Rock & Pop Preis. Raised in Vila Isabel, in Rio’s suburbs, he began with a classical music education. Over time, he expanded into a multifaceted practice marked by technical excellence, deep aesthetic research and strong engagement with cultural and social narratives.

In this current phase, the artist invests in solo work to amplify his voice and ideas. His presence on stage moves between performer and thinker. In this way, pagode becomes both musical material and critical lens.