O «som brônzeo» da morte: Poder e liturgia fúnebre a partir da torre sineira da Santa Igreja Patriarcal de Lisboa (1730-1769)

Abstract

During the modern period, the use of sound as an hierarchical representation of power gained in importance in Portugal, arising from an ingenious ‘sound policy’ followed by King John V. A significant part of this policy was an investment in bell ringing, including the renovation of the tower of the Holy Patriarchal Church, the installation of new bells in the same church and the updating of the style of ringing practiced in liturgical ceremonies, using the Roman model as a reference. The bell sounds that emanated from the tower, became one of the main sonic components of the monarch’s propagandist activities, from their public use in all ceremonies that took place during their lifetimes (and those of other members of the royal family), such as births, anniversaries, weddings, acclamations, funerals, etc. This paper is a study of two documents related to bell ringing in Lisbon in the first half of the eighteenth century: the Altissonancia sacra restaurada (1769), a manuscript treatise written by the master of ceremonies António Rodrigues Lages and the Kalendario dos toques dos sinos (1812), the analysis of which will assist in the identification of relationships between royal power, the sounds produced by the bells of the Patriarchal Church and the funeral liturgy, as well as the use of the system conceived during the reign of King John relating to the solemn ceremonies of death.