BIOGRAPHY

He was a pupil of Pe. José Maurício Nunes Garcia, studied violoncello, and sang in the Royal Chapel choir, where he studied with Marcos Portugal. Later he studied counterpoint and composition with Sigismund Neukomm. In 1832, he published the Brazilian National Anthem (still named Anthem for the 7th April) followed by the Practical Music Compendium dedicated to Brazilian Artists and Amateurs, and by the Music Compendium (1938). He founded the Musical Beneficence Society and its Music Conservatory, and was maestro of the Fluminense Society Orchestra, and artistic director of the Ballet and Lyric Companies of the Theatres São Januário and Temporary (Fluminense Lyric Theatre). He assumed, in 1841, the position of general master of the Imperial Chapel and taught at the Music Conservatory of Rio de Janeiro.