Portuguese connections to Newfoundland at heart of new musical production

There's an enduring centuries-long connection between Newfoundland and Labrador and Portugal through the legendary White Fleet, and a new musical production is celebrating those ties.

Starting as early as the 16th century, Portuguese fishermen sailed out of Lisbon, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to fish off the shores of Newfoundland. Over time, they became known as the White Fleet because of the colour of the ships.

A new musical production — White Fleet Suite — will be staged at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John's on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4.

"I think it's just an important story to let people know about because probably generations that followed us don't really know about it. And I'm just trying to tell that story because I think it's important," said Pamela Morgan, the Figgy Duff singer who composed and produced the show.

Guitarist Duane Andrews said the performance will start off with recognizable N.L tunes that will segue into Portuguese songs, reflecting a "beautiful heritage that is shared between Portugal and Newfoundland." 

The idea for White Fleet Suite happened a decade ago during a trip to Dublin, said Morgan, when she saw the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra perform The Brendan Voyage, which depicts a sixth-century trip across the Atlantic Ocean to America. She said the performance blended traditional and orchestra music.

"But it was beautiful and evocative… I think that was when the seed got planted. Like, you know, a suite to celebrate the connection between Newfoundland and Portugal," said Morgan.

She added that both N.L. and Portuguese cultures are informed by a connection to the sea, which she saw as worth celebrating.

During the creation process, Morgan travelled twice to Portugal in the creation process, where musician Teofilo Cerqueira — who helped create the musical production — introduced her to other musicians and brought her to places where the White Fleet sailed from.

Part of that creation process was interviewing a group of dorymen, with Cerqueira acting as translator, which she called a "magnificent experience."

"The stories that I found are kind of dear to my heart because I did that my whole life here, getting the stories from the you know fishermen in Newfoundland," said Morgan.

"And I just found so much in common and it was like they were long-lost cousins or something."

Speaking with Weekend AM from Ponte Barca, Portugal, Cerqueira said he spent time in the province in the late 1970s. While attending Memorial University, he became "enchanted" by the city's arts community. That's when he heard how traditional N.L. music was being celebrated and met Morgan.

Taking to the stage with Morgan will be the Atlantic String Quartet, Andrews, Aaron Collis, Cerqueira and his friends, musicians Zezé Fernandes and Aurea Gomez.