D. João VI and Marcos Portugal: the Brazilian period

Paper presented at the symposium Music and Culture in the Imperial Court of João VI in Rio de Janeiro (March 7–8, 2005; University of Texas at Austin). Stemming from an investigation into the religious music of Marcos Portugal (1762-1830), this paper is based primarily on hitherto unexplored sources. The life-long relationship between D. João VI and the Portuguese composer is analysed, as well as its importance for the staging of Royal Power, in particular during feasts taking place at the Royal Chapel during the period 1811-1821. In this context, the evolution and constitution of the royal choir and orchestra, and the importance of the castrati, a little investigated topic, have also been considered.