The conductor and pianist Ricardo Porfirio de Afonseca was one of the most distinct musicians from Madeira, in the second and third quarters of the nineteenth century. Son of a prominent figure of Madeira’s society, José Maria de Afonseca - General Inspector of Agriculture and Roads of the Madeira Island -, the musician always had access into social circles of the Madeiran elite, and was highlighted as founder and one of the most active members of the “Clube Funchalense”. The “Clube Funchalense” was founded in 1839 and was an exclusive club where there were games, dances and various other types of social meetings. Access to the club was quite limited and only allowed people from high commerce in Funchal, not even being allowed access to shopkeepers and other merchants from humbler establishments. On the musical side, the club also had a project that aimed to promote concerts of vocal and instrumental music. In this project, there were outstanding dances and "soirées ", marked by luxury and splendour and where illustrious people from the mainland and foreigners participated. Porfirio de Afonseca’s prestige within the club must have been very high. The musician came to be head of the direction of the Club for about a year, and is also likely Porfirio de Afonseca was highlighted as a pianist in the social club meetings. As a composer, it is well known that Porfírio de Afonseca composed several musical works, of those that stand out a "Psalm" for the Anglican Church (where he came to be organist), an " Ouverture " - interpreted within the Philharmonic Society - and several pieces for piano, such as "Souvenir de Madère : Trois Valses pour Piano” - piece devoted to the then Queen Mother of England, Adélaide d'Angleterre - and "Madeira Cotillions", set of pieces for piano edited in New York. In handwritten version, we know of the existence of a waltz and a “Hymno” dedicated to the Queen of Portugal D. Maria II.
The conductor and pianist Ricardo Porfirio de Afonseca was one of the most distinct musicians from Madeira, in the second and third quarters of the nineteenth century. Son of a prominent figure of Madeira’s society, José Maria de Afonseca - General Inspector of Agriculture and Roads of the Madeira Island -, the musician always had access into social circles of the Madeiran elite, and was highlighted as founder and one of the most active members of the “Clube Funchalense”. The “Clube Funchalense” was founded in 1839 and was an exclusive club where there were games, dances and various other types of social meetings. Access to the club was quite limited and only allowed people from high commerce in Funchal, not even being allowed access to shopkeepers and other merchants from humbler establishments. On the musical side, the club also had a project that aimed to promote concerts of vocal and instrumental music. In this project, there were outstanding dances and "soirées ", marked by luxury and splendour and where illustrious people from the mainland and foreigners participated. Porfirio de Afonseca’s prestige within the club must have been very high. The musician came to be head of the direction of the Club for about a year, and is also likely Porfirio de Afonseca was highlighted as a pianist in the social club meetings. As a composer, it is well known that Porfírio de Afonseca composed several musical works, of those that stand out a "Psalm" for the Anglican Church (where he came to be organist), an " Ouverture " - interpreted within the Philharmonic Society - and several pieces for piano, such as "Souvenir de Madère : Trois Valses pour Piano” - piece devoted to the then Queen Mother of England, Adélaide d'Angleterre - and "Madeira Cotillions", set of pieces for piano edited in New York. In handwritten version, we know of the existence of a waltz and a “Hymno” dedicated to the Queen of Portugal D. Maria II.