Luis de Matos

Luis de Matos (born 23 August 1970) is a Portuguese magician.

Biography

Luis de Matos was born in Mozambique in 1970, a Portuguese overseas province until 1975. At the age of five he moved with his parents to Portugal where the family settled near the city of Coimbra. He has a "bacharelato" degree in agricultural technical engineering from "Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra" (ESAC) - an agriculture school of the "Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra" (IPC).

He had an extense TV career, having several guest appearances and later his own most successful TV shows "Isto é Magia", "Noite Mágica" and "Ilusões com Luis de Matos" throughout the years. He won several important prizes such as the "Magician of the Year" (Hollywood Academy of Magic Arts - 1999) and the "Mandrake D'or" (French Society of Magicians - 2000).

Quoting his "Award of Merit" (Hollywood Academy of Magic Arts - 1995):

"In recognition of his remarkable devotion to the art of magic.His television series "Isto é Magia" and "Noite Mágica" brought legions of new fans to the art.An accomplished magician and illusionist he has brought dozens of international stars of magic before his television audience to share their talent and their knowledge of magical history.In his career he will touch millions and instill in them his love for magic."

Nowadays Luis de Matos still has a major contribution to the promotion of Magic and Art producing a series of Street Magic Festivals, occurring every year throughout the country (Portugal). In this festivals he brings literally dozens of great performers from all over the world to amaze and entertain the most varied audiences.

He is one of the greatest portuguese references in the field of magic and one of the best artists the country has ever met. As a performer and producer he is constantly striving towards the promotion of Magic as one the greatest forms of art. He aims to inspire a whole new generation of upcoming magicians and performers showing the world his biggest respect and love for the Art.

For further information on his career and information please consult his website.

Awards

*1986. "Best Newcomer" award at the seventh Festival of Magic organised by the Portuguese Association of Illusions at Figueira da Foz.
*1987. Second in Close-Up at the renamed 1st National Congress.
*1989. Winner in Manipulation at the 2nd National Congress.
*1999. Magician of the Year, from the Hollywood Academy of Magical Arts.

Television

*1990. First professional appearance on a RTP1 (Portuguese national channel) Christmas Special as M/C.
*1991. A regular, ten minute spot on a morning show (for ten weeks) RTP1.
*1992. Isto e Magia (this series ran for forty consecutive weeks. RTP1
*1993. Twenty six Saturday lunchtime shows, RTP1.
*1994. Noite Magica (Night Magic) series starts in Portugal. RTP1
*1995. Magiskt Show, Sweden; World's Greatest Magic, NBC USA; Champions of Magic, ABC USA.

References

*Opus Magazine
*Magic Magazine
*Genii Magazine
*O Mundo Magico de Luis de Matos (1995 Deposito legal 93 504/95)
*www.luisdematos.com

External links

* [http://www.luisdematos.pt/ Official website]