João Ornelas de Abreu

Abstract:
[Câmara de Lobos, Madeira December 19, 1898 – Câmara de Lobos, Madeira 02/02/1985]

Biography:
Son of João Ornelas Abreu and Virgínia Amália da Silva, João Ornelas de Abreu was a native of Câmara de Lobos, where he was born in Sítio da Ribeiro of Alforra e Fonte Garcia, on December 19, 1898. Shortly after the foundation of the Banda Recreio Camponês, João Ornelas Abreu was affiliated in this community, starting at 11 years of age with the regent Jose Gonçalves de Freitas the practice of piccolo flute and the rudiments of music. Years later, Ornelas (Abreu) ​​devoted himself to clarinet practice, having learned violin with Guilherme Nuno (Regent of the Banda Recreio Camponês between 1915 and 1918). By choice of musicians and followers, João Ornelas Abreu succeeded Guilherme Nuno as regent of the Banda Recreio Camponês in this previous year and took the direction of the institution by more than half a century, performed the artistic skills of chief of orchestra, teacher, copyist and administrative functions of president, secretary and treasurer. In 1972,due to his advanced age and health complications João Ornelas Abreu deposited in João Figueira Quintal, his pupil, the responsibility to continue his artistic work in the Banda Recreio Camponês. He died about thirteen years later, having also witnessed the consolidation and development of this community on February 2, 1985.

Witnessing the proven importance of family ties in regional harmonies, mention should also be made to family members and descendants of João Ornelas Abreu.
Two of his brothers served as members of the Banda Recreio Camponês: António Ornelas Abreu, flugelhorn and trumpet performer, was foreman (deputy chief) of the Banda Recreio Camponês; Ernesto Ornelas Abreu was a bass drum performer.

Among the six sons of his first marriage, with Maria Conceição Gonçalves, stands out, by his musical career, Luís Juvenal Ornelas, clarinet and divisional director of the Banda Recreio Camponês and José Tomás Ornelas, snare drum in the same community. Widowed, João Ornelas Abreu married with Maria José Soares Abreu, with whom he had six sons and, if it is still none of those shared love by his father’s music, the family artistic lineage continued in the Banda Recreio Camponês with the descendants of his daughter Maria Isabel Soares Ornelas Abreu, with his three grandchildren João Emanuel Abreu Ferreira, clarinetist, Luís Alberto Abreu Ferreira, percussionist and João Heliodoro Abreu Ferreira, career musician, trumpet and euphonium performer, deputy chief of the Banda Recreio Camponês and artistic director of the Banda Paroquial de São Lourenço da Camacha, and again with his great-granddaughter, daughter of João Emanuel Ferreira Abreu, Sofia Isabel Araújo Ferreira, performing clarinet.