Vision Ensemble is a chamber music initiative founded by violinist Gonçalo Fernandes and saxophonist Diogo Fernandes to explore the intersections of music, identity, and social engagement through collaborative performance.
Formed in 2015, the ensemble first took root in Setúbal, Portugal, where a group of young musicians came together to present a series of accessible and genre-blending concerts. Over the years, Vision Ensemble has grown into a flexible, multicultural group with a strong presence in both Portugal and the UK.
Now based between Setúbal and Cardiff, the ensemble brings together musicians from diverse backgrounds to challenge traditional concert formats and reimagine what chamber music can communicate. Its performances bridge classical traditions with contemporary relevance—always with a clear social or cultural purpose.
Portugal (2015–2016)
Vision Ensemble began by making chamber music approachable and lively in alternative venues across Setúbal. Highlights include:
Eurovision Live Concert – Setúbal (2015): Invited to open the prestigious Eurovision Live Concert in Portugal, the group presented a bold reinterpretation of Rise Like a Phoenix, drawing wide media attention, including a feature in Setúbal Mais and ESC Portugal.
Galeria Atelier Arte Pólvora D'Cruz (2016): Several concerts were held at this gallery, including:
Christmas Concert (23 Dec 2016): A festive performance mixing holiday classics with surprise arrangements, embracing the warmth and togetherness of the season.
‘Etta, Piazzolla & More’ (9 Sept 2016): A cross-genre programme featuring music by Etta James, Piazzolla, Simone de Oliveira, and Amor Electro, with guest vocalist Susana Marques.
Feira de Santiago – Setúbal (30 July 2016): Vision Ensemble opened one of Portugal’s major cultural festivals with an energetic set that introduced wider audiences to their signature blend of classical and popular styles.
These early performances shaped the ensemble’s identity: accessible, socially connected, and unafraid to fuse genres and traditions.
REPCo (2019 - 2020)
The group’s first performance in the UK took place in 2019 during an artistic residency at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. The programme celebrated Portuguese culture and featured a mix of classical and contemporary works, performed in a conductor-less format that emphasised artistic dialogue.
Presented as part of RWCMD’s REPCo Festival, this concert showcased a student-led production with artistic and social impact. It featured:
The world premiere of a concerto for saxophone, piano, and chamber orchestra by Gonçalo Lourenço, combining Romantic influence with modern expressiveness.
A secondary programme aimed at raising funds for LGBTQ+ causes, including works by Piazzolla, Morricone, and crossover vocal arrangements.
Performances hosted at both Dora Stoutzker Hall and Llanover Hall Arts Centre.
Artistic Ethos
Vision Ensemble believes in music as a tool for communication, activism, and empathy. From grassroots cultural performances to commissioned premieres and charity partnerships, the ensemble is committed to programming that uplifts voices, crosses borders, and resonates beyond the stage.
