Manuel Cardoso (1566–1650) was a Portuguese composer and organist. Along with Duarte Lobo and King João IV of Portugal, he represented the "golden age" of Portuguese polyphony. Cardoso was born in Fronteira, near Portalegre, most likely in 1566. He attended the Colégio dos Moços do Coro, a choir school associated with the Évora cathedral, studying with Manuel Mendes and Cosme Delgado. In 1588 he joined the Carmelite order, taking his vows in 1589. Read more on Last.fm