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Dona Viola, Minha Dama

by Hélio Beirão
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Soon after its discovery by Portuguese sailors in 1431, the Azores first inhabitants brought the viola from Braga, Portugal, the so called “viola braguesa”; however, with the invasion and presence of the Spanish in the Azores for sixty years, ending in 1640, the Spanish guitar was introduced to the general population. Soon after, the ever-creative inhabitants of Terceira Island merged both instruments into a new one, creating the worldly unique marvel—a viola da terra with 15 strings.

This instrument has 15 steel strings—double strings in the lower three orders and triple strings in the upper three. Its tuning is, from lower, E, B, G, D, A, and E. It is played using the index finger ton picking melodic lines (lower orders) and the thumb on the upper orders for rhythm and respective accompaniment.

In the process of enriching the Azorean Folk Music and the instrument itself, until now played in the lower three orders, Hélio affirmed that the viola da terra had the capability of executing neo-classical music, catapulting the instrument from its role as an instrument of folk music to a one in the center stage of a concert. Committed to enhancing the musical opportunities within multi-secular melodies and motivated by his passion for the Azorean culture, he reached into his inner most creative soul to find the inspiration for his original compositions for the viola da terra.

Heritage Collection

  • Untamed Dreams – Faces of America NEW!
  • A Vestibule to Heaven
  • California’s Portuguese Politicians – A Century of Legislative Service
  • Power of the Spirit
  • Capelinhos: A Volcano of Synergies—Azorean Immigration to America
  • Capelinhos (Portuguese translation supplement)
  • Capelinhos (Bundle of English and Portuguese versions)
  • The Holy Ghost Festas
  • The Portuguese Californians – Immigrants in Agriculture
  • The Portuguese Shore Whalers of California 1854-1904

Pioneer Collection

  • A Barrelful of Memories
  • The Egg in the Water Glass: A Journey of a Lifetime
  • Footprints in the Soil: A Portuguese Californian Remembers
  • The Portuguese Presence in California

Children’s Collection

  • Pretty Girl – Linda Menina NEW!
  • Maria and the Lost Calf
    Maria e a Bezerrinha Perdida
    (bilingual)

Fiction Collection

  • A Cow for the Holy Spirit: An Immigrant’s Journey
  • I No Longer Like Chocolates

Coleção Décima Ilha

  • Beijo de Abelha
  • IV International Conference on the Holy Spirit Festas
  • My Californian Friends
  • O Cântico do Silêncio
  • Perspectivas
  • PÓ: Poemas de Machado Ribeiro
  • Retalhos da Alma
  • Sol Posto
  • Tradições Portuguesas / Portuguese Traditions: In Honor of Claude L. Hulet (bilingual)

Additional Publications

  • América

Music

  • Dona Viola, Minha Dama

DVDs

  • Capelinhos DVD

Books on CD

  • The Holy Ghost Festas CD
  • The Portuguese Californians – Immigrants in Agriculture CD

Contact Us

Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, Inc.
1706 Zinfandel Drive
Brentwood, CA 94513-4342

email: info@portuguesebooks.org
phone: (408) 807-3235

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