Born in Covilhã, Portugal, Francisco is one of the most remarkable Portuguese guitar players of his generation.
He started studying guitar at the age of 9 with Dejan Ivanovic in “Conservatório Regional de Música da Covilhã”. Later on he continued studying with Pedro Rufino in “Academia de Musica e Dança do Fundão” with an honorable scholarship. In 2010 he graduated from “Instituto Superior Jean Piaget de Almada” in the class of Dejan Ivanovic with the highest marks and with a special graduation prize for best bachelor student. During this bachelor he also studied with Ana Telles and Paulo Lourenço, who also greatly influenced him.
In 2014 Francisco finished his Master of Arts degree with the highest mark at Kunst Universität Graz, in Austria, with maestro Paolo Pegoraro.
Later in 2017, he finished a Post-graduation in Seville, with Pablo Márquez, Lorenzo Micheli, Paolo Pegoraro and Judicael Perroy.
Francisco played in some important concert halls in Portugal and also in Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Serbia, Germany and Ukraine. He performed several times for Radio and TV, and some of his performances were broadcasted in Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and Japan, among others.
He is one of the most awarded portuguese guitarists ever, having won over more than 30 prizes (21 are highest prizes) in national and international competitions such as:
– Festival International de Guitarra de Amarante 2015
– London International Guitar Competition 2012
– XII Guitar Art Festival (Belgrade)
– 12th International Guitar Competition Sernancelhe
– 23rd Young Musician´s Prize Portugal
– V Festival Guitarmania (Almada)
– David Russell Honorary Prize (Vigo)
– VIII Certame Internacional Julián Arcas, junior category (Almeria)
– 41st Internacional Concertino Praga
– International Festival “Cidade do Fundão”
– Bienal Guitar Competition “São João da Madeira”
– International Guitar Competition “Festival de Leiria”
– XI Concurso Santa Cecília (Oporto)
– Internacional Competition Juliusza Zarebskiego (Warsaw)
He participated in the masterclasses of some of the most important guitarrists such as: Roland Dyens, Zoran Dukic, Raphaella Smits, Costas Cotsiolis, Carlo Marchione, Laura Young, Duo Melis, Paul Galbraith, Pepe Romero, David Russell and many others.
Alongside his solo activity, Francisco has also developed several chamber music projects namely with “What a duo – Duo”, with the Serbian clarinetist Darko Horvatic and the “Kroiser Ensemble Contemporary Music Project” with resident place at “Kiev Contemporary Music Days”.
Francisco currently teaches at Escola Profissional de Artes da Covilhã (EPABI) and at Conservatório Regional de Música da Covilhã.
testimonials
Paolo Pegoraro
“Francisco is a young musician with great talent, supported by sensibility, intelligence and dedication to his studies, carried out with admirable rigor and seriousness. It was a real privilege for me, as well as a pleasure working with him. He is a wonderful musician!”
Pepe Romero
“Magnificent guitarist”
Andrés Mengíbar
"(...) Francisco Morais por su madurez como músico. Su capacidad de introspección le permitió adentrarse en la Passacaglia de Tansman con variedad de matices y acentos, a la vez que con claridad en la exposición de las texturas contrapuntísticas, cuestión esta última que afloró de manera magistral en su versión de la Invocación y danza de Rodrigo, profundamente expresiva."
Francisco morais franco
Master of Arts degree
With the highest mark at Kunst Universität Graz, in Austria, with maestro Paolo Pegoraro.
More than 30 prizes
In national and international competitions.
Guitar Teacher
Teaches at Escola Profissional de Artes da Covilhã (EPABI) and at Conservatório Regional de Música da Covilhã
Our Address
Covilhã, Portugal