Mandrágora is a piece that evokes the Portuguese discoverers' maritime expansion during the renaissance. It starts with the joyful departure of the ships and continues with the sailors' vagueness as to their fate. After a series of 'favourable winds' there is a succession of devastating storms and moments of new hope, until the ships finally arrive safe and well. This work won the 1st Prize of the most important Portuguese wind band composition contest in 2002: The Silva Dionísio Prize.