FROM ROME: Keep in touch with the Italian opera and classical music scene by reading Giuseppe Pennisi's regular reports.
VIDEO PODCAST: Women Composers - Our special hour-long illustrated feature on women composers includes contributions from Diana Ambache, Gail Wein, Hilary Tann, Natalie Artemas-Polak and Victoria Bond.
Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Gomes was born in Campinas, São Paulo on 11 July 1836 - the son of conductor Manuel José Gomes.
Carlos Gomes studied in Rio de Janeiro. The success of his first two operas resulted in a royal scholarship to allow him to study in Italy. His opera Il Guarany was hugely successful in Italy and back in Rio de Janeiro.
Gomes is also known for refusing to compose the new Brazilian national anthem for the first Brazilian republic in 1889.
Antônio Carlos Gomes died on 16 September 1896 in Belém, Pará, Brazil, aged sixty, leaving eight operas, three books of songs, piano works and choruses.
CD Spotlight. Unjustifiably Neglected - Gerald Fenech is impressed with orchestral music by Carlos Gomes. 'I encourage you to invest in this beautiful album which will definitely sweep you off your feet.'
Ensemble. A Special Feature - Giuseppe Pennisi describes how Cagliari awakens Antônio Carlos Gomes' 'Lo Schiavo' after a long sleep
Summer Opera Reviews - Roderic Dunnett looks back at a thumping good summer for opera festivals in Britain and Ireland. Part 3 - Bampton, White Horse and Dorset