Biography
Manoel Dias de Oliveira (1738-1813) was a Brazilian church composer and organist.
Conductor, copyist and organist , he devoted himself to music from 1769 in religious brotherhoods. A legend tells of his precocious talent. On one occasion, Father Francisco da Piedade heard him, still a boy, singing excerpts from a work by Josquin des Prez while he was playing with ants. Impressed, the priest invited him to join the choir at St. Anthony's Cathedral, where he studied music theory, counterpoint , and the organ .
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The musician took lessons from the organist Lourenço Dias de Oliveira (?-1760), perhaps his relative or father.
In 1766, he received the appointment of Captain of Foot Ordinance of the Freed Brown Men of São José do Rio das Mortes. In 1769, he already held the rank of ensign, in a period coinciding with the conduction of music for the local brotherhoods.
He was also a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis, and was given the title of Captain of the Foot Cavalry of Queen Dona Maria I, the highest title that someone of dark skin could receive.
His works are performed in an unbroken tradition in churches in the region of Tiradentes, then São José del Rei, such as São João del Rei , Prados and Congonhas do Campo, current Congonhas.
A good number of them still remain in manuscript. About 30 works are preserved, most of them sacred. Two Te Deums (one alternating in A minor), six a capella motets, a Magnificat and a Gradual stand out.
Also featured Miserere for solo alto for 4 voices and organ; Visitation of Sorrows for eight voices and instruments; Step Motets for eight voices and instruments; Holy Saturday ; and Step Visitation for Eight Voices and Instruments.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.