Publication of article by Marco Brescia (MMP) in Diacrítica – Journal of the Centre for Humanistic Studies

The article by Marco Brescia (Music in the Modern Period Group), entitled “António José dos Santos (c. 1808–1883). Moderniser of Oporto’s organ landscape and the figurehead of Portuguese organ-making in the second half of the 19th century”, is available in open access in Diacrítica, vol. 39, no. 1 (2025), pp. 4-25 (SCOPUS-indexed journal).

Click here to read the article.

Abstract: There is a myth that the promulgation of the decree signed by King Dom Pedro IV in 1834, which secularized and nationalized Church properties, boosted the decline of Portuguese organ-making. This myth has been gradually deconstructed. Concerning the prolific Lisbon workshops of Machado e Cerveira and Peres Fontanes –who died, respectively, in 1818 and 1828–the end of their activity is more or less coincident with the decree mentioned above. However, in the Azores and the North of Portugal we notice a vigorous organ-making activity during the second half of this century. In this context and regarding the Portuguese northern organ-making, one must claim the name of António José dos Santos, both as the great moderniser of Oporto’s organ landscape and as the figurehead of Portuguese organ-making in the second half of the 19th century.