Who wrote the National Anthem and how it was chosen

The first paragraph of article 13 of the Federal Constitution of 1988 says: “the flag, anthem, weapons and national seal are symbols of the Federative Republic of Brazil”.

The anthem is therefore one of the four most important symbols of the nation. We all know it, but few know who composed it and who wrote the lyrics taught in schools and sung before the football team's games.

Francisco Manuel da Silva he was a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters and founder of the Rio de Janeiro Conservatory and was conductor of the Teatro Lírico Fluminense.

He composed the song “The day of jubilation for lovers of freedom” or “The fall of the tyrant” on the occasion of the Abdication of Pedro I of Brazil (1831), which marked the end of the First Reign and the beginning of the period regency.

This composition underwent several modifications until 1889, the year of the proclamation of the republic, when a contest was held to choose the new Brazilian anthem. Until the occasion, the royalist anthem was sung by the royalists; and the Marseillaise, by the republicans.

The music by Francisco Manuel da Silva was chosen, but the lyrics by Joaquim Osório Duque Estrada were only found in 1909. Until 1922, Duque Estrada made nine changes to the lyrics until the final version, which was sung on the occasion of the centenary of Independence.

Curiosities

In 1917 the singer Vicente Celestino and the Banda do Batalhão Naval recorded the National Anthem for the first time. The version, however, was recorded in B-flat, a difficult key for most people, and could barely be followed in chorus by the population.

The Union acquired ownership of the National Anthem on August 21, 1922 for 5:000$ (five contos de réis, or five million réis), equivalent today to more or less 615 thousand reais.

1. The Law of National Symbols of Brazil defines that “during the execution of the National Anthem, everyone must take a respectful attitude, standing up and in silence, male civilians with uncovered heads and military personnel in salute, according to the regulations of the respective corporations.
2. “Any other form of greeting is prohibited.” Clapping is therefore prohibited.
3. In ceremonies in which a foreign national anthem has to be played, it must, as a courtesy, precede the Brazilian national anthem.
4. In cases of simple instrumental or vocal performance, the National Anthem will be played or sung in its entirety, without repetition.