João Baptista André Avondano: Um percurso formativo invulgar sob patrocínio real

Abstract

João Baptista André Avondano was the main figure as far as the cello in Portugal in the eighteenth century is concerned, being the author of the only known consistent solo work for the instrument in the period, a set of sonatas and duets published in Paris in 1770 under the title Quattro sonate e due duetti per due violoncelli dedicati a Sua Maestà Il Ré di Portugallo dal Sig.Giov:Batista Andrea Avondano. This cellist was a member of one of the most important families of musicians active in Lisbon at the time, yet very little was known until now about this instrumentalist of the Royal Chapel. Recently discovered documents show us new biographical elements, tracing a very rich and unusual journey of study undertaken under royal patronage. This extensive tour, without parallel amongst his Portuguese contemporaries, took him through Italy, France and England. Avondano’s connection to some of the most important cellists of the period is a necessary tool for a deeper understanding of historical cello performance practice in Portugal and is especially valuable considering the scarcity of primary sources available on the subject. This paper addresses the newly discovered biographical information and its importance as a performance study source for subsequent systematic work on the cello within the contemporary context in Portugal in particular, as well as general practice regarding string instruments.