Francisco Manuel da Silva (February 21, 1795 – December 18, 1865) was a Brazilian songwriter and music professor. He was born and died in Rio de Janeiro. He had great prominence in the musical life of Rio De Janeiro in the period between the death of Priest JosĂ© MaurĂcio and Carlos Gomes. He was a singer of Capela Real since 1809, and later a cello player. He was one of the founders of Imperial Academia de MĂşsica e Ă“pera Nacional (National Imperial Music and Opera Academy) Read more on Last.fm