The historical organ of the Parish of Ajuda – Lisbon
In the Nossa Senhora da Ajuda Parish Church there is a 230 years old pipe organ that is a local landmark. Located in the parish of Ajuda, the church is also known by the locals as ‘Igreja da Boa-Hora’ due to the adjacent Augustinian convent (now a refurbished Hospital). António Xavier Machado e Cerveira (1756–1828) was the organ-builder who built it. The restoration in 1988 was carried out by the organ-builder António Simões. The stops (the sounds of the organ) and peculiarities of its operation are relevant to the aesthetics of the period. These instruments are called historical organs or iberian organs.
The Parish
The Convent of N.ª Sr.ª da Boa-hora and St.ª Rita in Ajuda, next to Belém, at the foot of a water fountain, was founded by the Augustinians in the place called Espargal, on the land donated by His Majesty. Being patroness the Queen Mariana Victoria, with the approval of SS.mo Pe Benedict XIV by his Brief, in date 27th July 1749 and licence of His Majesty and Ex.mo Cardinal Patriarch Manuel in the year 1756. During the great earthquake (that impacted Portugal, the Iberian Peninsula, and Northwest Africa on the morning of Saturday, 1st November, Feast of All Saints, at around 09:40 local time) the Augustinians fled from the ruin and fire of the Convent of N.ª Srª da Boa-Hora of Lisbon on 16th January 1756 to the site of Espargal. The first stone of the new church dedicated to N.ª Sr.ª da Boa-Hora and St.ª Rita was laid on the 7th April 1766, day of N.ª Sr.ª dos Prazeres.
After the extinction of the Religious Orders in 1834, the old convent was adapted to other functions, housing since 1892 the Military Hospital of Belém. The church became a parish church, having been practically rebuilt in the 70s. Above the entrance there is a large choir with an organ. The church is covered by a low arched ceiling, whose painting imitates stucco bas-reliefs (this technique is named trompe l'oeil). The tile panels depicting the life of St. Augustine are noteworthy.
After the extinction of the Religious Orders in 1834, the old convent was adapted to other functions, housing since 1892 the Military Hospital of Belém. The church became a parish church, having been practically rebuilt in the 70s. Above the entrance there is a large choir with an organ. The church is covered by a low arched ceiling, whose painting imitates stucco bas-reliefs (this technique is named trompe l'oeil). The tile panels depicting the life of St. Augustine are noteworthy.
António Xavier Machado e Cerveira
Born in Tamengos, Anadia. He lived from 1st September 1756 to 14th September 1828 and died in Caxias. He was a Portuguese organ-builder, considered one of the most remarkable of the Baroque period. There are hundreds of instruments of his authorship. For his work he was decorated with the habit of the Order of Christ and appointed organ-builder of the royal house Organorum regalium Rector.
The organ history
Its number is probably to be between 23 – 36 and 1792 is the possible date of its construction, for reasons of aesthetics, materials and previous records of other instruments of Machado e Cerveira.
Above the front of the organ is a heraldic symbol, a two-headed eagle, the symbol of the military order of the Augustinians. On the front, above the horizontal reeds (Portuguese organ aesthetics), there are lacy letters interlaced in a monogram style, with the 'A' being the most prominent. The probable interpretation is A for Alpha.
On the occasion of the bicentenary of the parish (1988), the Prior José Bernardo had the organ restored by Master António Simões, and promoted several cultural activities. Organists from the Gregorian Institute, pupils of Antoine Sibertin-Blanc, played regularly on this organ. Sibertin-Blanc remained in charge until his death on 17 November 2012. Several concerts and recitals were promoted, featuring João Vaz and Rui Paiva, as well as choirs and soloists; Olisipo, Carlos Guilherme, Liliana Bizinec, João Oliveira, António Saiote, Adam Wolf and Win Becu, to name but a few. Since 1996 the organist has been Cláudio de Pina, the current incumbent titular since 2013. Regular recitals are given with guided tours.
Above the front of the organ is a heraldic symbol, a two-headed eagle, the symbol of the military order of the Augustinians. On the front, above the horizontal reeds (Portuguese organ aesthetics), there are lacy letters interlaced in a monogram style, with the 'A' being the most prominent. The probable interpretation is A for Alpha.
On the occasion of the bicentenary of the parish (1988), the Prior José Bernardo had the organ restored by Master António Simões, and promoted several cultural activities. Organists from the Gregorian Institute, pupils of Antoine Sibertin-Blanc, played regularly on this organ. Sibertin-Blanc remained in charge until his death on 17 November 2012. Several concerts and recitals were promoted, featuring João Vaz and Rui Paiva, as well as choirs and soloists; Olisipo, Carlos Guilherme, Liliana Bizinec, João Oliveira, António Saiote, Adam Wolf and Win Becu, to name but a few. Since 1996 the organist has been Cláudio de Pina, the current incumbent titular since 2013. Regular recitals are given with guided tours.
Organ activities
- Improvisation Session each Sunday, after Mass, at 11h00.
- Open Rehearsals, each working day at 15h00.
- Music of Cinema – scheduled during each year, subscribe or follow my social networks.
- Portuguese Composers – scheduled during each year, subscribe or follow my social networks.
- Guided tour to the organ – scheduled during each year, subscribe or follow my social networks.
- Association Amigos do Órgão Ibérico d'Ajuda.
Organ specifications
Mechanical traction keyboard with 53 keys from C to e3 without short octave. The keyboard his split in two parts – bass (left hand C to b2), and discant (right hand, from c2 to e3). Four feet piston activate/deactivate reed and mixtures. The tuning changes, throughout the year due to climate change, between 430 Hz e 440 Hz keeping an almost equal temperament, with the exception of closed stops and Vox Humana.
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Bass
Tronbeta Magna — Portuguese horizontal reed. 4’ stop in an 8’ resonator. Clarão 4F — Symmetrical in the discant to Clarim. Deactivated by feet piston. Cheio 3F — Mixture, deactivated by feet piston. Cimbala 4F — Deactivated by feet piston. Comp. 22ª — Composite of Quinzena, deactivated by feet piston. Quinzena — Deactivated by feet piston. Dozena — Non symmetrical in the discant, deactivated by feet piston. Fl. 6 Tapº — Solo. 4’ flue, no symmetrical in the discant. Oitava Real — Not affected by piston deactivation. 4’ flue. Fl. 12 Tapº — 8’ Stopped flue. Fl. 12 Abº — 8’ Open flue. Principal. |
Discant
Clarim — Portuguese horizontal reed. Corneta 4F — Symmetrical in the bass, deactivated by feet piston. Cimbala 3F — Deactivated by feet piston. Cheio 4F — Mixture, deactivated by feet piston. Comp. Quinzena — Quinzena + Comp. 22ª, deactivated by feet piston. Oitava Real — 4’ flue, deactivated by feet piston. Voz Humana — Non symmetrical in the bass (undulating). Fl. Travessa — Solo, 8’ flue. Pífano — Solo, 8’ flue. Fl. 12 Abº — 8’ Open flue. Principal. Fl. 12 Tapº — 8’ Stopped flue. |
