Mesquita

Henrique Alves de Mesquita was a prolific composer who rose up against the systematic marginalization of Black people in Brazilian society and made a name for himself as one of the leading figures in the local music scene of the 19th century. He was highly regarded for his sacred music and operas, which are heard only rarely today. After his studies in Paris, Mesquita directed his versatility and refinement toward fashionable music theater styles such as polkas, tangos and waltzes, in which he conveys emotions ranging from infectious joy to gentle melancholy. It is these lighter pieces that are now considered by many scholars as one of the most important origins of modern Brazilian popular music.