Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais
Consultation for identifying potential candidates to the position of Artistic Director of
the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon, Portugal
Teatro Nacional de São Carlos (National Theatre of São Carlos - TNSC), built in 1793, is one of the
oldest and most prestigious cultural and artistic organizations in Portugal. Its history merges with
the history of opera itself in Portugal, for more than two centuries, and it has been its distinctive
role to ensure, during that period, the active participation of the country in the international
circuits of opera production, affirming itself as one of the most notable theatres in Europe.
As the sole portuguese lyric theatre, the TNSC guarantees the access of our audiences to the
operatic, symphonic, choral and chamber repertoires. Since 2007, the theatre has been under
management of OPART – Organismo de Produção Artística, EPE, alongside Companhia Nacional de
Bailado (National Ballet Company - CNB). TNSC has two main artistic bodies, the Orquestra
Sinfónica Portuguesa (Portuguese Symphonic Orchestra - OSP) and the TNSC Chorus, fundamental
in pursuing the public service mission to which TNSC is legally bound, which includes, according to
Decreto-Lei n.º 160/2007 de 27 de abril (Decree-Law nr. 160/2007 from 27 april):
a) The promotion of a high level of artistic and technical performance of the Orquestra
Sinfónica Portuguesa, the TNSC Chorus and the staff dedicated to musical and theatrical
production;
b) The programming of performances and other cultural activities, namely in the fields of
opera, symphonic and choral-symphonic music, which contribute to deepen and amplify the
theatre’s relationship with the community, thus elevating the critical demands of the
audiences;
c) The promotion of the internationalization of TNSC, both through co-productions and own
productions, aiming to affirm a project or artistic identity susceptible of international
projection and attractiveness;
d) The establishment and development of an opera studio that creates opportunities for
professionalization for young artists and technicians, and that affirms itself as a place for
innovation in repertoire, in stage directing and interpretation, including the production of
performances in Portuguese language;
Rua Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo, 15, 1070-085 Lisboa, PORTUGAL
TEL + 351 21 384 84 00 FAX + 351 21 384 84 39 EMAIL [email protected] www.gepac.gov.pt
1
Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais
e) The formation of new audiences, namely through traveling productions and an educational
program, especially for children and youth audiences;
f) The preservation of cultural heritage, recovering and divulging the musical and theatrical
heritage originated or preserved in Portugal;
g) The commissioning and presentation of new works from Portuguese authors and creators;
h) The establishment of cooperation agreements in the areas of production and programming
with other artistic organizations;
i) The diffusion of performances through radio and television, as well as print editions and
audio and video recordings;
j) The stimulus to the research, diffusion and animation of documental information in the
musical and theatrical areas, through information and communication technologies;
l) The preservation and valorization of the institutions’ memory, exhibiting and musealizing
historical testimonies of the activities of the theatre since its inception.
To fulfill its expanded mission, the TNSC has a body of specialized human resources, including
artistic, technical, and administrative sectors. Apart from OPART, EPE's governing body, its
Executive Board, TNSC has in its structure an Artistic Director, whose responsibilities are statutorily
defined.
To perform those responsibilities, the Artistic Director function is required to be performed by a
highly skilled and experienced professional. With the objective of identifying individuals with an
adequate profile for the post of Artistic Director of the TNSC, an international consultation is
launched, authorized by HE the Secretary of State for Culture of Portugal through an order dated
9/9/2015. This consultation has the objective of producing a recommendation, to be issued by an
Assessment Group, on the suitability of each candidate’s experience, skills and profile to the post
of Artistic Director of the TNSC.
The Assessment Group will produce a non-binding recommendation, to be presented to the
member of Government with responsibility for the area of Culture, who will decide, with complete
freedom, to appoint, or not, one of the recommended individuals.
Profile
Rua Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo, 15, 1070-085 Lisboa, PORTUGAL
TEL + 351 21 384 84 00 FAX + 351 21 384 84 39 EMAIL [email protected] www.gepac.gov.pt
2
Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais
For the purpose of this consultation, the desired candidate profile, education and experience
shall follow the parameters below:
 Minimum experience of 6 years in programming and artistic direction in the field of the
Performing Arts, in particular in the fields of opera, symphonic and choral music, in
cultural organizations of reference;
 Profound knowledge of the international artistic scene, with a demonstrated network of
professional contacts in this field of work, among stage directors, singers, musicians, set
designers, lighting designers, agents, programmers and other artists, allowing for the
programming of internationally relevant seasons;
 Knowledge of, or willingness to know, the Portuguese artistic reality, with the objective of
identifying and promoting new artistic talent and recognizing established talent, in the
areas under his/her responsibility;
 Public service mindedness, with a profound commitment towards offering cultural
experiences of excellence to the TNSC’s audiences;
 Keen negotiation skills, with capacity to maintain working relationships with the music
industry and other stakeholders, while defending the interests of the TNSC;
 Capacity for working within groups in multiple contexts and hierarchies, and leadership
skills of diverse teams;
 Planning and budgeting skills;
 Excellent communication and institutional representation skills;
 Ability to work under pressure.
Term of appointment
The Artistic Director is appointed for a three year, renewable, mandate.
Role
The role of the Artistic Director is statutorily defined:
a) Conceive and propose to the Executive Board the global strategy of artistic programming
and production, incorporating, in an integrated and coordinated way, the mission and
objectives of Opart, EPE;
b) Conceive and execute the annual and multiannual plans under his/her responsibility;
c) Supervise the operation of the artistic and technical teams;
Rua Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo, 15, 1070-085 Lisboa, PORTUGAL
TEL + 351 21 384 84 00 FAX + 351 21 384 84 39 EMAIL [email protected] www.gepac.gov.pt
3
Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais
d) Coordinate the production, set-up and public performance of shows;
e) Conceive the plans for education programming and for the operation of the artistic and
technical units;
f) Define and propose to the Executive Board the criteria and methods of selection for
hiring the heads of the artistic and technical units;
g) Supervise marketing and communication strategies.
Specifically,
In regards to programming:
a) Conceive the programming of lyric, choral and symphonic seasons of the TNSC, taking
into account the prestige, history and reputation of the centuries-old organization;
b) Proceed with the ongoing lyric, choral and symphonic seasons of the TNSC, operating
changes as required;
c) Promote the optimization of the TNSC’s artistic resources;
d) Coordinate the programming with the Artistic Director of the National Ballet Company
(CNB), with the objective of enriching the TNSC’s and CNB’s seasons, as well as create
synergies between their artistic bodies;
e) Conceive the strategy of artistic development of OSP and TNSC’s Chorus, through the
selection of adequate programs, conductors and soloists, in tight coordination with the
Chief Conductors;
f) Propose and implement internationalization, decentralization and education projects;
g) Propose to the Executive Board in the defined timings, the programming and activities in
accordance with the above, within the budgetary orientations set by the Executive Board;
In regards to the internal artistic oversight:
a) Supervise the artistic and labor activity of the musicians, guest conductors and soloists;
b) Supervise the Marketing, Technical and Performance Departments’ actions towards the
proper completion and execution of the defined programming;
c) To regularly attend performances in TNSC, sharing the institutional representation duties
with the Executive Board, in compatible and adequate proportions;
Rua Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo, 15, 1070-085 Lisboa, PORTUGAL
TEL + 351 21 384 84 00 FAX + 351 21 384 84 39 EMAIL [email protected] www.gepac.gov.pt
4
Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais
d) To make the decisions regarding the artistic management of OSP and other existing or to
be created artistic bodies, namely regarding the selection of the Chief Conductor,
Assistant Conductors, resident stage directors, or others, deciding on their existence in
the context of the artistic strategy.
In regards to projection and development:
a) To contribute towards the establishment of partnerships between Opart and the civil
society, namely collaborating with the Executive Board in prospecting, soliciting and
stewarding new donors, sponsors or partners;
b) To establish partnerships with international peer organizations, contributing towards the
development of co-productions and of the TNSC’s international image;
c) To develop internationalization projects for the OSP, the TNSC Chorus and their
productions;
Place and regime of work
The Artistic Director carries out its activity in exclusivity, as determined by paragraph 5 of article
16 of Decree-Law No. 160/2007 of 27 April.
Applications
The applications shall be presented to GEPAC – Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e
Avaliação Culturais (GEPAC), att: Ms. Manuela Bicho, until 23h59m of October 30th 2015,
through the email address [email protected], and with “Artistic Director – TNSC” on the
subject line. The application shall be written in Portuguese or English, and include:
a) Letter of presentation/motivation;
b) Brief statement (max 3 A4 pages) about the guidelines for a possible season for the TNSC;
c) Curriculum Vitae / biography;
d) Indication of two professional references (whom shall only be contacted after a previous
contact with the applicant);
e) Other relevant elements for the assessment of the application.
The Assessment Group:
 Mr. Adriano Jordão, member of the Executive Board of OPART, EPE.
Rua Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo, 15, 1070-085 Lisboa, PORTUGAL
TEL + 351 21 384 84 00 FAX + 351 21 384 84 39 EMAIL [email protected] www.gepac.gov.pt
5
Gabinete de Estratégia, Planeamento e Avaliação Culturais
 Mrs. Joana Carneiro, Chief Conductor of the Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa
 Mr. João Paulo Santos, Director of Music Studies and Stage Musical Director of the TNSC
 Mr. Paulo Ferreira de Castro, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Musical Sciences, FCSH-UNL
 Mr. Risto Nieminen, Director of the Music Department, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
Additional Information
 After the initial assessment of the applications, a phase of interviews may be held;
 Questions and clarifications shall be directed to the Assessment Group until October 20th,
through the email [email protected], att: Ms. Manuela Bicho.
 The Assessment Group’s recommendation will be reserved information and not subject to a
public communication.
Rua Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo, 15, 1070-085 Lisboa, PORTUGAL
TEL + 351 21 384 84 00 FAX + 351 21 384 84 39 EMAIL [email protected] www.gepac.gov.pt
6