Classical music in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, begins at the end of the 18th century, but this artistic field did not really begin to flourish until the middle of the 19th century, and was consolidated throughout the 20th century with the founding of several educational institutions and the proliferation of groups, interpreters and composers, projecting the city across the state as the main producer and radiator of influence. Currently Porto Alegre has a considerable audience for classical music; it is in the script of concertists of international fame, has two stable orchestras and a chamber orchestra, and numerous smaller chamber groups and vocal and instrumental soloists, as well as a large number of music schools and performance spaces.