A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bomtempo, João

BOMTEMPO, João Domimgos, important Portuguese musician and composer, born 1775 (not 1781) at Lisbon, settled in Paris 1795, visited London, returned to Paris, and finally went Lack to Lisbon in 1820 and became head of the Conservatoire. As instructor of the royal family he was made Knight of the Order of Christ, and chief director of the court band. He died Aug. 13, 1842. Amongst his works the following deserve mention—Varições sobre o fandango; 'Messe de Requiem à la mémoire de Camoens'; Responsorii for Queen Carlotta Joaquina (1822); Missa solenne for the promulgation of the Constitution (1821); Requiems for Maria I. and Pedro IV.; Methodo de Piano (London, 1816); Alessandro nell Indie, opera seria. His style is clear and dignified, obviously formed on Handel and Haydn.

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