A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Portogallo
PORTOGALLO. The sobriquet of a Portuguese musician named Simao [App. p.751 "add Christian name Marcantonio"], who, residing in Italy, was known as Il Portogallo—'the Portuguese.' He was born at Lisbon in 1763 [App. p.751 "March 24, 1762"] learned singing from Borselli of the Opera, and counterpoint from Orso, maître de chapelle in the Cathedral. At 20 years of age he followed Borselli to Madrid, and became accompanyist at the opera there. The Portuguese ambassador sent him to Italy in 1787, and he began his career with 'L'Eroe Cineso' (Turin, 1788) and 'La Bachetta portentosa' (Genoa, 1788). After composing other operas and gaining a reputation, he paid a visit to Lisbon in 1790, and was made chapel-master to the king. He returned to Italy and composed opera after opera with great success at Parma, Rome, Venice, and Milan. Fétis quotes 'Fernando in Messico,' written for our Mrs. Billington (Rome, 1797) as his chef-d'œuvre. His duties called him occasionally to Lisbon, but Italy was the country of his choice. In 1807, however, the royal family were driven to Brazil by the French invasion. Portogallo accompanied them, and remained at Rio Janeiro till 1815. He then returned to Italy and resumed his position at Milan with 'Adriano in Siria.' On the return of the king he again went to Lisbon, and died there at the end of 1829 or beginning of 1830 [App. p.751 "Feb 7, 1830"]. Fétis gives a list of 26 of his operas.
Portogallo was not unknown in London. His 'Fernando in Messica' was played at Mrs. Billington's benefit, Mar. 31, 1803; his 'Argenide e Serse,' Jan. 25, 1806; 'Semiramide,' Dec. 13, 1806; 'La morte di Mitridato,' at Catalani's benefit, April 16, 1807; and 'Barseni, Regina di Lidia,' June 3, 1815. His brother wrote for the church.