Translation of a biography of him:
Alfredo Napoleão
His life and compositions were filled with hours of melancholy.
A mere glance at his body of work is enough to appreciate the artistic value of Alfredo Napoleão, who holds such a respected place in our musical world.
He was born in Porto on January 31, 1852. In 1866, he left for Brazil to pursue a career in commerce, working at a piano dealership. However, his soul never lost its love for music, nurtured by lessons he had taken in London under his father, who lived there. Constantly studying, he eventually made his public debut in a concert at the Lyric Theatre, where he achieved great success. His temperament, inclined toward the beauty of sound, could not reconcile with commercial life, so he left his job and embarked on an artistic tour through various provinces of Brazil. He spent six years in Buenos Aires and Montevideo dedicated to teaching. In 1882, he gave several concerts in Porto and Lisbon before traveling to Paris and London, where he was widely applauded in various recitals. He returned to Rio de Janeiro multiple times before finally settling in Porto in 1905. Today, he lives in our capital, dedicating himself to teaching and concerts. He is the brother of the renowned artist Arthur Napoleão, who resides in Rio de Janeiro, and of Annibal Napoleão, also a composer, who passed away in Lisbon in 1880.
We may regard this distinguished Portuguese musician both as a pianist and as a composer.
Modest in character, he cherishes solitude, wishing only to live for his music. His life of continuous study has made him a pianist of magnificent technique, performing the works of Bach and Beethoven with profound understanding—the latter being his favorite composer. He also possesses a masterful knowledge of Liszt's compositions, interpreting them with brilliance.
A critic from Buenos Aires wrote in his newspaper in 1897:
*"It may be said that Alfredo Napoleão is a truly extraordinary case, worthy of attention anywhere in the world. No one who has not heard him can grasp the vigor and brilliance of his technique. His scales, arpeggios, and cadenzas possess the inexorable speed of lightning."*
As a composer, his works—whether for piano or orchestra—are inspired pieces that reveal the author's remarkable depth of knowledge. A tireless worker, his musical output is extensive, and while some compositions may fall short in inspiration or craftsmanship, others reveal immense talent, worthy of a place in concert halls worldwide! Yet, Alfredo Napoleão is Portuguese—and that, unfortunately, is enough for many of his works to remain buried in obscurity for years on end. It is sad to say, but it is the truth!
Alfredo Napoleão
His life and compositions were filled with hours of melancholy.
A mere glance at his body of work is enough to appreciate the artistic value of Alfredo Napoleão, who holds such a respected place in our musical world.
He was born in Porto on January 31, 1852. In 1866, he left for Brazil to pursue a career in commerce, working at a piano dealership. However, his soul never lost its love for music, nurtured by lessons he had taken in London under his father, who lived there. Constantly studying, he eventually made his public debut in a concert at the Lyric Theatre, where he achieved great success. His temperament, inclined toward the beauty of sound, could not reconcile with commercial life, so he left his job and embarked on an artistic tour through various provinces of Brazil. He spent six years in Buenos Aires and Montevideo dedicated to teaching. In 1882, he gave several concerts in Porto and Lisbon before traveling to Paris and London, where he was widely applauded in various recitals. He returned to Rio de Janeiro multiple times before finally settling in Porto in 1905. Today, he lives in our capital, dedicating himself to teaching and concerts. He is the brother of the renowned artist Arthur Napoleão, who resides in Rio de Janeiro, and of Annibal Napoleão, also a composer, who passed away in Lisbon in 1880.
We may regard this distinguished Portuguese musician both as a pianist and as a composer.
Modest in character, he cherishes solitude, wishing only to live for his music. His life of continuous study has made him a pianist of magnificent technique, performing the works of Bach and Beethoven with profound understanding—the latter being his favorite composer. He also possesses a masterful knowledge of Liszt's compositions, interpreting them with brilliance.
A critic from Buenos Aires wrote in his newspaper in 1897:
*"It may be said that Alfredo Napoleão is a truly extraordinary case, worthy of attention anywhere in the world. No one who has not heard him can grasp the vigor and brilliance of his technique. His scales, arpeggios, and cadenzas possess the inexorable speed of lightning."*
As a composer, his works—whether for piano or orchestra—are inspired pieces that reveal the author's remarkable depth of knowledge. A tireless worker, his musical output is extensive, and while some compositions may fall short in inspiration or craftsmanship, others reveal immense talent, worthy of a place in concert halls worldwide! Yet, Alfredo Napoleão is Portuguese—and that, unfortunately, is enough for many of his works to remain buried in obscurity for years on end. It is sad to say, but it is the truth!