Francisco Manuel da Silva (21 February 1795 – 18 December 1865) was a Brazilian songwriter and music professor. He was born and died in Rio de Janeiro. He had great prominence in the musical life of Rio de Janeiro in the period between the death of José Maurício Nunes Garcia and Antônio Carlos Gomes. He was a singer of Capela Real since 1809, and later a cello player. He was one of the founders of (National Imperial Music and Opera Academy), of , which became (Nacional Music Institute) and is called (Rio de Janeiro University Music School). He was taught by José Maurício Nunes Garcia and, most probably, by Sigismund Neukomm. He was directly responsible for Capela Imperial's reinstatement and being turned to its old beauty. He left a handful of works, spread around Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo archives, covering gospel music, modinhas and lundus. He composed the Brazilian National Anthem, first as a patriotic march, since Dom Pedro I's resignation, later being officialized as anthem by the Brazilian Republic Revolution (1889). He also composed one opera, O prestigio da lei. References Gerard Béhague. "Francisco Manuel da Silva", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed September 6, 2006) External links 1775 births 1865 deaths Brazilian songwriters Federal University of Rio de Janeiro faculty National anthem writers Brazilian classical composers Brazilian male composers Brazilian opera composers 19th-century classical composers Male classical composers Musicians from Rio de Janeiro (city) 19th-century Brazilian male singers