The Manuscript Vila Viçosa Alegria A.2 (Joaquim 8): An Eighteenth-Century Compilation in Honor of João IV?

Abstract

Of the twenty volumes of polyphony in the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança at Vila Viçosa, ten of the fourteen manuscripts are known to date from the eighteenth century or later. Study of one of the remaining four, VV.A.A2/J8, yields evidence that it was copied on paper dating from the early eighteenth century. Pride of place in the manuscript is given to all five polyphonic psalms for First Vespers for the Feast of St. Joseph, celebrated on 18 March, the birth date of D. João IV of Portugal in 1604. Verses originally requiring multiple cantus parts were recomposed, anonymously, so that only one cantus part was required; the Chapel is known to have suffered a shortage of trebles in the early eighteenth century. The volume may have been prepared for a still unknown anniversary of João IV, but was most likely bound around 1735-38 along with other volumes being prepared for the Chapel.