There is a very special photograph in the history of the National Culture Center that has to do with Glória de Matos and Fernando Amado and their passion for theater. The Fernando Pessoa Group was born here, which staged “O Marinheiro” by the author of the Message to Rio de Janeiro in 1962. Manuel Bandeira, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Cecília Meireles, Vinícius de Morais and César Augusto are with the Portuguese representation: Glória de Matos, João d’Ávila, Isabel Ruth, Manuela de Freitas, and Norberto Barroca. Manuel Bandeira dedicates a book to Manuela de Freitas. The meeting is fantastic. There is a singular convergence within the Portuguese language, in homage to theater and literature. Fernando Amado was the director. He was someone with a multifaceted work and a fraternal relationship with Almada Negreiros, revealing a fruitful generation. Glória de Matos, who has now left us, was an example of a special artistic and pedagogical talent. With genuine charm, we hear from him disconcerting stories from his time, such as that of the political police officer, who interrogated him, before leaving for Brazil about what they were going to do, who they were going to do, what they would represent, when?, where? why? And at some point, he asked: And Mr. Fernando Pessoa is also going? Astonished, the young artist replied: – “No, Mr Fernando Pessoa has already passed away”. The agent immediately made a gesture of getting up slightly and simply said: “My condolences, ma’am.”
The experience of Fernando Amado’s Group was unforgettable, hence the Casa da Comédia. One day, during the rehearsal of the play Woman is desired 1 plus 1 = 1which the author, Almada Negreiros, was watching at the back of the room, he asked to speak to indicate a disagreement. Amado noticed, but continued as if it were nothing. Almada insisted once and twice. Then Amado looked at his great friend and just said: “Please don’t interrupt” and continued the session. When he finished, Almada didn’t insist, and they both left in a pleasant conversation, Chiado below.
Glória de Matos was my Theater teacher at Liceu Pedro Nunes. She has always been a great friend, ever since she came from England, where she attended the Bristol Old Vic School of Theatre, on a Gulbenkian Foundation Scholarship. His innovative method was extremely useful for everyone who benefited from it. Between Gil Vicente and Tchekov, we learned the art of saying, but also how to read, communicate and understand texts, making them available to everyone, knowing how to put our voice, represent and deal with our body… It was an unforgettable experience, thanks to Maria do Céu Novais Faria, an exemplary teacher, who brought to us the great emerging professional and who allowed the learning of literature to become an active means of going beyond the commonplace, linking hermeneutics and oratory, not leaving the language in a marginal and formalistic position. In fact, Professor Rómulo de Carvalho compared a good class to a real theatrical performance, which he took special care of. Glória de Matos had the great ability to combine humanity, knowledge and wisdom. At the National Culture Center, in the cycle The Portuguese Meet Their Historywith her we went to India and visited Jordan and Cairo. She was an unforgettable friend who will continue to be very present.
President of the Arts Council of the National Culture Center