Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade Visconde de Alcácer

The Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade Visconde de Alcácer is a Portuguese philharmonic society and recreational association based in Alcácer do Sal, founded on 11 July 1830 by the Visconde de Alcácer. It is popularly known as "Calceteira" and is one of the oldest continuously operating musical societies in Portugal. The organisation originated from an earlier musical group called "Sete Estrelas" (Seven Stars), which the Visconde de Alcácer absorbed, purchasing instruments and opening music classes. Within a short time it fielded a wind band that became regarded as one of the best in the region and a source of local pride. The society's first statutes were granted on 15 March 1842, formally dedicating it to popular culture and recreation and opening it to the whole population of Alcácer do Sal. Around 1860 it adopted the name "Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade" following a reconciliation between internal factions. In 1880 a fire destroyed its headquarters; the Visconde de Alcácer again intervened, housing the society in his "Clube Pedro Nunes," where it remains as owner of the building. At the celebrations of 11 July 1880, the society was renamed in his honour, taking the name it still bears today. The nickname "Calceteira" reportedly arose from the fierce disputes between local societies, in which a particularly combative female defender of the Visconde's band waved its flag, earning the society the name. Today the band consists of about 40 members and has been conducted by Maestro Nelson Caetano since 1 April 2015. The society functions as a cultural and recreational hub for the community, maintaining a wind band and music education tradition rooted in nineteenth-century Portuguese philharmonic culture.

The Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade Visconde de Alcácer traces its origins to a musical group called "Sete Estrelas" (Seven Stars) that existed in the town of Alcácer do Sal in 1830, performing at festivities and other entertainments. At a time when music had become indispensable to the brilliance and enthusiasm of public life, the Visconde de Alcácer, a prominent politician and leader of the Regenerator Party, took over the old group and on 11 July 1830 founded his philharmonic society, purchasing instruments and opening music classes. Before long it could present a wind band considered among the best in the region and a great source of pride for the people of Alcácer. On 15 March 1842, given the strong development of philharmonic societies, the Visconde de Alcácer granted the society its first statutes, which established that it was dedicated to popular culture and recreation, opening it to the entire population and making it a meeting centre for the people of Alcácer. Later, at an unknown date estimated around 1860, the society changed its name to "Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade," reflecting a reconciliation between divergent factions within the organisation who resolved their differences under the sign of friendship for the good of the society. In 1880 a fire destroyed the society's headquarters. In the emergency, the Visconde de Alcácer once again saved his beloved band, providing accommodation in his "Clube Pedro Nunes," where all the activities of the Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade were installed and where the society remains today as owner of the building. At the festivities of 11 July 1880, it was decided by acclamation, as a tribute of homage and gratitude to its founder and great benefactor for his services to art and humanity, that the society should be renamed "Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade Visconde de Alcácer," the designation it retains. The society is commonly known as "Calceteira." According to tradition, in older times disputes between local societies were fierce. The Visconde's society had a combative defender, likened to the baker-woman of Aljubarrota, who argued, cursed, and waved the flag of her beloved band, so that it became known as the Society of the Calceteira. Today the band is composed of about 40 members and has been conducted by Maestro Nelson Caetano since 1 April 2015.

• 2015

  Nelson Caetano becomes conductor of the band on 1 April.

• 1880

  A fire destroys the headquarters; the Visconde de Alcácer houses the society in his Clube Pedro Nunes. On 11 July the society is renamed in his honour.

• 1860

  Estimated date when the society adopted the name "Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade" after internal reconciliation.

• 1842

  First statutes granted on 15 March, dedicating the society to popular culture and recreation and opening it to the whole population.

• 1830

  Visconde de Alcácer absorbs the "Sete Estrelas" group and founds the philharmonic society on 11 July, purchasing instruments and opening music classes.

A community-rooted philharmonic society and recreational association, among the oldest in Portugal, dedicated to popular culture, music education, and local festivities.

• Banda de Música (wind band)

  The society's flagship wind band, currently about 40 members, conducted by Nelson Caetano since 2015.

• Music education

  Music classes opened at the society's founding and maintained as part of its cultural mission.

1. 1Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade Visconde de Alcácer – Wikipedia (Portuguese)pt.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sociedade Filarmónica Amizade Visconde de Alcácer – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official website (historial)sites.google.com
4. 4Google Drive: Sign-inaccounts.google.com