The Real Câmara project consists in the creation of a Portuguese orchestra dedicated to historically-informed interpretation, with a special focus on eighteenth-century Portuguese repertoire and its connections with Italy. In particular, it seeks to explore the assets of the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda library, which, in addition to being essential for the study of Portuguese music, holds one of the largest and most important eighteenth-century opera collections in the world.

Made up in its majority of Portuguese interpreters with specific training in early music, with regular professional activity in renowned European ensembles, Real Câmara intends to centralize and enhance work that has already been carried out by several of its members, for years and in parallel contexts, with the conductor Enrico Onofri, always a with great sense of empathy and artistic sharing.

The restoration of musical heritage, in keeping with the historical nature of the orchestra’s musical approach, is an integral part of the professional paths of several of the members of the orchestra – two of them doctoral students in historical musicology. This link with musical historiography is reinforced by the collaboration with other musicologists who specialize in the Portuguese eighteenth century, including the Real Câmara’s scientific consultant, Dr. Cristina Fernandes. In this regard, particular attention will be given to the extensive collection of the Ajuda Library, as well as that of other national archives such as the National Library of Portugal, or the Archive of the Fábrica da Sé Patriarcal of Lisbon, where a vast number of works that have not seen modern performances are present. The Ajuda Library’s vocal music collection will occupy a seat of honour among the portfolio, as well as several works of religious art of specific Portuguese tradition that have been neglected to date.

The important musical connections between Portugal and Italy will also be explored, including the several generations of Portuguese scholarship holders who studied there – in Rome, in the reign of King João V, and in Naples, in the reign of King José I and Queen Maria I – such as F. A. Almeida, J. R. Esteves, A. Teixeira, J. Cordeiro da Silva, J. F. Lima, J. Sousa Carvalho and M. Portugal. Great composers also came to Portugal from Italy and worked here – such as D. Scarlatti, E. D’Astorga, R. Di Capua and G. Bononcini – or even settled here – such as the Avondano family, G. Giorgi, G. M. Schiassi and D. Perez. Special attention will also be given to musicians who wrote works for the Portuguese court and for its ambassadors, such as A. Scarlatti, N. Porpora and N. Jommeli.

Alongside the dissemination of the work developed in the national context, another one of the orchestra’s main objectives is the international dissemination of its work and of Portuguese immaterial heritage, guided by high-level musical standards. This process will involve the phonographic edition of Portuguese eighteenth-century repertoire that has yet to be showcased, as well as the participation in the international circuit of concerts and festivals dedicated to historically informed interpretation.