Date:
Wed, 18/03/202610:00-12:00
Location:
Room 47125, Musicology Department
Lecturer:
Dr. Fernando Miguel Jalôto, NOVA University Lisbon
This lecture traces the rich yet still underexplored history of the musical history of Portugal during its transformation from a peripheral European border kingdom to a transcontinental colonial empire. During the pivotal reign of King John V (1706–1750), Portugal emerged from decades of Spanish rule into a period of extraordinary wealth fueled by Brazilian gold and diamonds, which now allowed for splendid embassies and the manipulation of Rome’s favours; where the Autos-da-Fé offered magnificent public spectacles alongside the devout Corpus Christi processions; and the slave trade moved thousands of human beings between the Atlantic coasts, while in churches, black saints were venerated on golden altars and music was sung imitating the languages of Guinea and Angola.
All of this is reflected in the rich but still somewhat unknown musical history of the country: the Iberian traditions, common to neighbouring Spain, with which it shared until then the main musical, literary, theatrical and choreographic genres and tastes, are contrasted, from this reign onwards, with a premeditated and massive importation of Italian models — works, composers, performers, ceremonial — that would contribute to transforming Lisbon into a “new Rome” and to amaze both foreigners and nationals with works of propaganda of the royal piety and power.
All of this is reflected in the rich but still somewhat unknown musical history of the country: the Iberian traditions, common to neighbouring Spain, with which it shared until then the main musical, literary, theatrical and choreographic genres and tastes, are contrasted, from this reign onwards, with a premeditated and massive importation of Italian models — works, composers, performers, ceremonial — that would contribute to transforming Lisbon into a “new Rome” and to amaze both foreigners and nationals with works of propaganda of the royal piety and power.