Domitila (or DomitÃlia) de Castro do Canto e Melo (27 December 1797 — 3 November 1867), 1st
Viscountess
A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status.
In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicial ...
with designation as a
Grandee
Grandee (; es, Grande de España, ) is an official royal and noble ranks, aristocratic title conferred on some Spanish nobility. Holders of this dignity enjoyed similar privileges to those of the peerage of France during the , though in neith ...
, then 1st
Marchioness
A marquess (; french: marquis ), es, marqués, pt, marquês. is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman wi ...
of
Santos, was a Brazilian
noblewoman
Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy (class), aristocracy. It is normally ranked immediately below Royal family, royalty. Nobility has often been an Estates of the realm, estate of the realm with many e ...
and the long-term mistress and favorite of
Emperor Pedro I
Dom Pedro I (English: Peter I; 12 October 1798 – 24 September 1834), nicknamed "the Liberator", was the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. As King Dom Pedro IV, he reigned briefly over Portugal, where he also became ...
.
Life
Birth and family
Daughter of João de Castro do Canto e Melo, 1st Viscount of Castro and Escolástica Bonifácia de Oliveira e Toledo Ribas, Domitila belonged to a traditional São Paulo noble family: she was the granddaughter of Colonel Carlos José Ribas, great-grandfather of Simão de Toledo Piza, patriarch of this family in São Paulo. Born on 27 December 1797, she was baptized three months later, on 7 March 1798 in the Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Sé) in São Paulo. According to her baptismal record, her godfather was
Ensign
An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
José Duarte e Câmara.
The
Brigadier
Brigadier is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several thousand soldiers. In ...
João de Castro Canto e Melo was born in the
Terceira Island
Terceira () is a volcanic island in the Azores archipelago, in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the larger islands of the archipelago, with a population of 53,311 inhabitants in an area of approximately . It is the location ...
in the
Azores
)
, motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace")
, anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores")
, image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg
, map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union
, map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...
, and died in
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
in 1826. He was the son of João Batista do Canto e Melo and Isabel Ricketts, and descended from
Pero Anes do Canto
Pero Anes do Canto (1480–1556) was a Portuguese nobleman, who was born at Guimarães, Portugal and died at Angra do HeroÃsmo, on the island of Terceira in the Azores. He was the superintendent of fortifications on Terceira, and, for his competen ...
, from Terceira Island.
He passed to Portugal, setting up a cadet square at the age of 15 on 1 January 1768, named Standard-Bearer on 17 October 1773. He was 21 when, in 1774, he went to
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
and months later to
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
.
He was transferred to the Santos Infantry line Regiment, promoted to Ensign in 1775 and to Lieutenant in the same year, to Adjudant in 1778; he was Captain in 1798, Major in the same year, and in 1815 Lieutenant Colonel. Later, after his daughter's love with the emperor, he was made Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber and still received the noble title of Viscount of Castro on 12 October 1825.
Domitila's full siblings were:
*João de Castro do Canto e Melo (March 1786 – 11 September 1853), 2nd Viscount of Castro,
Field Marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...
and Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber; married with Inocência Laura Vieira de Azambuja, with whom he had issue.
*José de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized 17 October 1787 – died ca. 1842),
Brigadier
Brigadier is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several thousand soldiers. In ...
of the
Brazilian Army. Soldier at the age of five on 1 July 1792, Standard-Bearer in 1801,
Ensign
An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
in 1807, Lieutenant in 1815, Commander of the Cavalry Squad of the Legion of São Paulo and in the Battle of ItupuraÃ, in the 1816 campaign. Captain in 1818, Sergeant Major of the 2nd Line Cavalry Regiment of Vila de Curitiba, then São Paulo Province, in 1824. Colonel of the Army Staff in 1827. He was licensed due to health reasons in 1829. Brigadier retired from the Army. Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber, dismissed in 1842. Knight of the
Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz in 1824 and was promoted to Commander in the same order in 1827. Officer of the
Order of the Southern Cross
Emperor Pedro I of Brazil founded the National Order of the Southern Cross ( pt, Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul) as a Brazilian order of chivalry on 1 December 1822. The order aimed to commemorate the independence of Brazil (7 September 1822) ...
in 1827; married with his niece Francisca Pinto Coelho de Mendonça e Castro, with whom he had issue.
*Maria de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized February 1790; died in infancy).
*Pedro de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized 26 May 1791; died in infancy).
*Maria Benedita de Castro do Canto e Melo (18 December 1792 – 5 March 1857), married to Boaventura Delfim Pereira, Baron of Sorocaba, with whom she had issue; her second son Rodrigo Delfim Pereira, although recognized by her husband, was in fact an illegitimate son of Emperor Pedro I, her sister's lover.
*Ana Cândida de Castro do Canto e Melo (January 1795 – 27 May 1834), married to Carlos Maria de Oliva, Veador of the Imperial Chamber and Colonel of the Army, with whom she had issue.
*Fortunata de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized 12 January 1797; died in infancy).
*Francisco de Castro do Canto e Melo (5 April 1799 – 21 June 1869), Gentleman of the Imperial Chamber, Major retired of the Army; married firstly with Francisca Leite Penteado and secondly with Lina Pereira de Castro. He had issue from his second marriage.
*Jeronimo de Castro do Canto e Melo (baptized 13 September 1803; died in infancy).
In addition, Domitila had an older illegitimate half-sister, Maria Eufrásia de Castro, born from her father's earlier relationship (in fact, betrothal later terminated) with Teresa Braseiro.
First Marriage
On 13 January 1813, Domitila, at the age of fifteen, married an officer from the second squad of the Corps of Dragons in the city of Vila Rica (now
Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto (, ''Black Gold''), formerly Vila Rica (, ''Rich Village''), is a city in and former capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a former colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains and designated a World Herita ...
),
Ensign
An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
FelÃcio Pinto Coelho de Mendonça (26 February 1790 – 5 November 1833), cited by several historians as a violent man, who beat and raped her, and from whom she divorced on 21 May 1824.
After the wedding in São Paulo, FelÃcio and Domitila left for Vila Rica. Three children were born from the marriage:
Due to her husband's mistreatment, Domitila obtained permission from his family in São Paulo to return to her father's home with her children. He arrived back in
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
at the end of 1816. FelÃcio managed to transfer his post in the army from Vila Rica to
Santos and settled in São Paulo, trying to reconcile with his wife and in 1818 they returned to live together. However, given his drinking and gambling problems, it did not take long for FelÃcio to return with his old behavior, and began the beatings and death threats to his wife. On the morning of 6 March 1819, FelÃcio surprised Domitila next to the Santa Luiza fountain and stabbed her twice, one stab caught in the thigh and the other in the belly. FelÃcio was arrested and taken to Santos, next to his barracks, from where he left for
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
. Domitila spent two months between life and death. When she recovered from her injuries, she had to fight legally against her father-in-law, who wanted to take the couple's children to educate them in the Captaincy of
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais () is a state in Southeastern Brazil. It ranks as the second most populous, the third by gross domestic product (GDP), and the fourth largest by area in the country. The state's capital and largest city, Belo Horizonte (literally ...
. Domitila asked for FelÃcio's legal separation but only obtained it five years later, when she was already the Emperor's mistress. Domitila's detractors would accuse her after being assaulted because she betrayed FelÃcio, when in reality, through documentation and witnesses in the divorce process, he had tried to kill her to sell the land that both, with the death of his mother, had jointly inherited in Minas Gerais.
Imperial Mistress
Domitila met
Dom Pedro de Alcântara, Prince-Regent of
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
days before the
Proclamation of the Independence on 29 August 1822. The Prince-Regent was returning from a visit to
Santos when he received, on the banks of the
Ipiranga Brook
The Ipiranga Brook (in Portuguese: ''Riacho do Ipiranga'', ), is a river of São Paulo state in southeastern Brazil, historically known as the place where Dom Pedro I declared the independence of Brazil from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil ...
, in
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
, two missives (one from his wife, Princess
Maria Leopoldina of Austria
Dona Maria Leopoldina of Austria (22 January 1797 – 11 December 1826) was the first Empress of Brazil as the wife of Emperor Dom Pedro I from 12 October 1822 until her death. She was also Queen of Portugal during her husband's brief r ...
and another from
José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva
José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (; 13 June 17636 April 1838) was a Brazilian statesman, naturalist, mineralist, professor and poet, born in Santos, São Paulo, then part of the Portuguese Empire. He was one of the most important mentors ...
) that informed him about the decisions of the Portuguese Courts, in which Dom Pedro stopped being Prince-Regent and received orders to return to the continent. Outraged by this "interference with his acts as ruler", and influenced by whose defended the break with the metropolis, especially by José Bonifácio de Andrada, he decided to separate the
Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves
Kingdom commonly refers to:
* A monarchy ruled by a king or queen
* Kingdom (biology), a category in biological taxonomy
Kingdom may also refer to:
Arts and media Television
* Kingdom (British TV series), ''Kingdom'' (British TV series), a 200 ...
.
![Amaral-domitila-MHN](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Amaral-domitila-MHN.jpg)
Domitila was not the only lover of Dom Pedro, but she was the most important and the one with whom he had the longest relationship. Before his marriage, the Prince-Regent had been involved with a French ballerina, named Noémi Thierry, with whom he had a son. During his relationship with Domitila he had other parallel ones, such as Adèle Bonpland (wife of French naturalist
Aimé Bonpland
Aimé Jacques Alexandre Bonpland (; 22 August 1773 – 11 May 1858) was a French explorer and botanist who traveled with Alexander von Humboldt in Latin America from 1799 to 1804. He co-authored volumes of the scientific results of their ex ...
) and the dressmaker Clemence Saisset (whose husband had a store on Rua do Ouvidor), with whom he had a son. In addition to these liaisons, Domitila's own sister, Maria Benedita de Castro do Canto e Melo, Baroness of Sorocaba, also had a son with Dom Pedro.
In 1823, the now Emperor Pedro I installed Domitila at the Barão de Ubá street (today the
Estácio neighborhood) which was her first residence in
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
. One year later, and thanks to the support of her lover, Domitila was able to have her first marriage nullified. In 1826, she received as a gift the "''Casa Amarela''", as her mansion became known, at number 293 of the current Avenida D. Pedro II, near
Quinta da Boa Vista
The Quinta da Boa Vista ( en, "Estate of the Good View") is a public park of great historical importance located in the São Cristóvão neighbourhood, in the North zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The park was part of the gardens of ...
, in
São Cristóvão
São Cristóvão (, ''Saint Christopher'') is a Brazilian municipality in the Northeastern state of Sergipe. Founded at the mouth of the Vaza-Barris River on January 1, 1590, the municipality is the fourth oldest settlement in Brazil. São Cristà ...
(where the Museum of the First Reign now operates).
The Emperor bought the house from Dr. Teodoro Ferreira de Aguiar and ordered a renovation in a neoclassical style to the architect Pierre Joseph Pézerat. The internal mural paintings are the work of Francisco Pedro do Amaral, while the internal and external bas-reliefs by
Zéphyrin Ferrez.
Domitila was being elevated by her lover little by little. In 1824 she was created
Baroness
Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often Hereditary title, hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher th ...
of Santos;
on 4 April 1825 she was appointed Lady-in-waiting of Empress Maria Leopoldina, on 12 October of the same year was created
Viscountess
A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status.
In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicial ...
of Santos with designation as a
Grandee
Grandee (; es, Grande de España, ) is an official royal and noble ranks, aristocratic title conferred on some Spanish nobility. Holders of this dignity enjoyed similar privileges to those of the peerage of France during the , though in neith ...
and, on 12 October 1826 she was finally created
Marchioness
A marquess (; french: marquis ), es, marqués, pt, marquês. is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman wi ...
of Santos. Besides all this titles, on 4 April 1827 the Emperor invested his mistress with the
Order of Saint Isabel
The Order of Queen Saint Isabel ( pt, Ordem da Rainha Santa Isabel) is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of which the Grand Mistress is the Duchess of Braganza.
History
King John VI of Portugal created the order on 4 November 1801 in honour of ...
, who was solely granted "to women of irreproachable conduct".
Although Domitila was not born in that city, the Emperor, in an attempt to attack de Andrada brothers, born in Santos, would have given the titles to his mistress. José Bonifácio de Andrada, upon learning of this fact in his exile in
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, wrote to his friend Counselor Drummond: "Who would dream that the ''michela'' (prostitute) Domitila would be Viscountess of the homeland of the Andradas! What a brazen insult!". Domitila's family also received several imperial benefits: Her father became Viscount of Castro, her brother Francisco became the Emperor's Field Assistant and the rest of her siblings received
''Hidalgo'' precedence. Domitila's brother-in-law, Boaventura Delfim Pereira (husband of Maria Benedita), was made Baron of Sorocaba.
From her relationship with Emperor Pedro I, Domitila had five children:
Empress
Maria Leopoldina
, issue =
, issue-link = #Children
, issue-pipe =
, house = Habsburg-Lorraine
, father = Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
, mother = Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily
, religion = Roman Catholicism
, si ...
died in 1826 due to complications caused by a miscarriage, amidst rumours who blame Domitila of the illness and death of the beloved Empress. The Marchioness of Santos' popularity, which was no longer the best, worsened, with her house in São Cristóvão being stoned and her brother-in-law, a butler of the Empress, received two shots. Her right to preside over medical appointments of the Empress, as her lady-in-waiting, was denied, and ministers and officials of the palace suggested that she should not continue to attend court.
![Retrato da Marquesa de Santos, Acervo do Museu Paulista da USP](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Retrato_da_Marquesa_de_Santos%2C_Acervo_do_Museu_Paulista_da_USP.jpg)
Emperor Pedro I ended his relationship with Domitila in 1829 due to his second marriage with
Amélie of Leuchtenberg
Amélie of Leuchtenberg ( pt, Amélia Augusta Eugénia Napoleona de Leuchtenberg; french: Amélie Auguste Eugénie Napoléonne de Leuchtenberg; 31 July 1812 – 26 January 1873) was Empress of Brazil as the wife of Pedro I of Brazil.
She was the g ...
. Already since 1827 he had been looking for a noble blood bride but the sufferings caused to his late wife by him and the scandalous link with the Marchioness of Santos were seen with horror by European courts and several princesses refused to marry the Emperor.
The Austrian ambassador to Rio de Janeiro, Baron Wenzel Philipp von Mareschal, wrote to
Vienna
en, Viennese
, iso_code = AT-9
, registration_plate = W
, postal_code_type = Postal code
, postal_code =
, timezone = CET
, utc_offset = +1
, timezone_DST ...
about the future marriage of the Emperor and the banishment of the mistress: "Emperor D. Pedro was eventually convinced that the presence of the Lady of Santos would always be inopportune and that a simple change of residence would not satisfy anyone; he insisted on the sale of her properties, the which I heard was already provided and on her departure to São Paulo in eight or ten days".
The Emperor bought the properties of the Marchioness of Santos in Rio de Janeiro for 240
''contos'' (240
insurance policy
In insurance, the insurance policy is a contract (generally a standard form contract) between the insurer and the policyholder, which determines the claims which the insurer is legally required to pay. In exchange for an initial payment, known as ...
of the
Public Debt
A country's gross government debt (also called public debt, or sovereign debt) is the financial liabilities of the government sector. Changes in government debt over time reflect primarily borrowing due to past government deficits. A deficit oc ...
from the Amortization Box, of 1 ''contos de réis''), returning to Domitila "in banknotes of São Paulo" of the amount of 14 ''contos de réis'', two ''contos'' for the Amortization Box with which she had presented it, an allowance of 1 ''conto de réis'' per month put at your order, "at par or in banknotes". Regarding the residence bought from the former mistress, Mareschal says: "It will serve the young Queen and her court". It was Dona Maria da Glória, future Queen
Maria II of Portugal
, image = Queen Maria II by John Simpson.jpg
, caption = Portrait by John Simpson, 1835
, succession = Queen of Portugal
, reign =
, predecessor = Pedro IV
, successor = Miguel I
, reg-type = Regents
, regent ...
; that is why it would later be known as the ''Queen's Palace'', as effectively Dona Maria da Glória settled there, albeit for a short period. Later was bought by the
Viscount of Mauá and around 1900 the residence was acquired by the doctor Abel Parente, the protagonist of one of the biggest scandals in Rio de Janeiro, in 1910. It became the Museum of the First Reign in the late 1980s until 2011 when it was deactivated and the restoration and adaptation of the space began to receive the Fashion Museum - ''Casa da Marquesa de Santos''.
Second Marriage
Since 1833 Domitila began to cohabitated with the Brigadier
Rafael Tobias de Aguiar
Rafael Tobias de Aguiar (October 4, 1794 — October 7, 1857) was a Brazilian politician and military officer, from Sorocaba, São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital o ...
(4 October 1794 – 7 October1857), with whom she officially married in the city of
Sorocaba
Sorocaba () is a municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sorocaba is the eighth-largest city in the state of São Paulo. Outside the Greater São Paulo region, it ranks behind only Campinas, São José dos Campos and Ribeirão Preto. It ...
on 14 June 1842. Rafael Tobias de Aguiar was not only a politician but a wealthy Sorocaban farmer: the base of his fortune was the trade in mules, but in time he ended up diversifying his business with sugar farms, cattle and horse breeding. The ''Tobian coa''t was created by him. Nicknamed the "''Reizinho de São Paulo''" (Little King of São Paulo) thanks to his fortune, he held the position of
President of the Province of São Paulo for two terms and was elected Provincial Deputy for São Paulo. He ran twice for the position of
Senator of the Empire
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the eld ...
, but his name was never chosen by Emperor
Pedro II of Brazil
Don (honorific), Dom PedroII (2 December 1825 – 5 December 1891), nicknamed "the Magnanimity, Magnanimous" ( pt, O Magnânimo), was the List of monarchs of Brazil, second and last monarch of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. ...
. In 1842, as one of the main leaders of the
Liberal Revolution, after his marriage to the Marchioness of Santos and the eminent invasion of Sorocaba by the troops of
LuÃs Alves de Lima e Silva
Luis is a given name. It is the Spanish form of the originally Germanic name or . Other Iberian Romance languages have comparable forms: (with an accent mark on the i) in Portuguese and Galician, in Aragonese and Catalan, while is archaic ...
, fled to the south where he was captured. Taken to
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
, he was incarcerated in the Fortress of Laje, located on a rock in the middle of
Guanabara Bay
Guanabara Bay ( pt, BaÃa de Guanabara, ) is an oceanic bay located in Southeast Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro. On its western shore lie the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Duque de Caxias, and on its eastern shore the cities of Niterói and ...
. Domitila, on hearing of his arrest, arrived to the Imperial court where, by means of a representant, she pleaded to the Emperor that she could live with her husband in the Fortress of Laje to take care of his health, which was granted.
In 1844, Rafael Tobias de Aguiar was given an
amnesty
Amnesty (from the Ancient Greek ἀμνηστία, ''amnestia'', "forgetfulness, passing over") is defined as "A pardon extended by the government to a group or class of people, usually for a political offense; the act of a sovereign power offici ...
and the couple returned to
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
, where they were received with a great party. Rafael Tobias de Aguiar died on board the Vapor Piratininga on 7 October 1857 when on his way to
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ( , , ; literally 'River of January'), or simply Rio, is the capital of the state of the same name, Brazil's third-most populous state, and the second-most populous city in Brazil, after São Paulo. Listed by the GaWC as a b ...
in search of medical help. He was accompanied by his wife and one of the couple's children. Domitila's relationship with Rafael Tobias de Aguiar was the longest one of hers, lasting 24 years, during which the couple had six children, of which 4 managed to reach adulthood:
The ''Solar da Marquesa de Santos''
![Solar da Marquesa de Santos](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Solar_da_Marquesa_de_Santos.jpg)
On her return to São Paulo after the end of her relationship with Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, Domitila acquired in 1834 a vast mansion on the old Rua do Carmo, currently Rua Roberto Simonsen in the city center. The first owner of the property was Brigadier José Pinto de Morais Leme according to documentation from 1802. Previously, on the site, there were two houses that were renovated and gave rise to a single building. Domitila was the owner of these house from 1834 until her death in 1867.
The property became the center of São Paulo society, animated by masquerade balls and literary evening parties given by the Marchioness of Santos. In 1880, the house was put up for auction and was acquired by the local Diocese, who transformed the Manor into the Episcopal Palace. The House today belongs to the City Hall of São Paulo, which has the Museum of the City installed there. Its historical importance is great not only because his link to Domitila but because the property is the only urban remnant built using the technique known as
rammed earth
Rammed earth is a technique for constructing foundations, floors, and walls using compacted natural raw materials such as earth, chalk, lime, or gravel. It is an ancient method that has been revived recently as a sustainable building method.
...
still existing in the historic center of the city.
Later years and death
![Cemiterio da Consolação Marquesa de Santos Sepultura](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Cemiterio_da_Consola%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Marquesa_de_Santos_Sepultura.jpg)
After being widowed, the Marchioness of Santos became devout and charitable, seeking to help the helpless, protecting the miserable and hungry, caring for the sick and students of the
Faculdade de Direito do Largo de São Francisco, in the center of the city of
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
.
Domitila de Castro do Canto e Melo, Marchioness of Santos died of
enterocolitis
Enterocolitis is an inflammation of the digestive tract, involving enteritis of the small intestine and colitis of the colon. It may be caused by various infections, with bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or other causes. Common clinical manif ...
in her residence in the Rua do Carmo, now Roberto Simonsen, near the
Pátio do Colégio
Pátio do Colégio (in Portuguese ''School Yard'', written in the archaic orthography ''Pateo do Collegio'') is the name given to the historical Jesuit church and school in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The name is also used to refer to the squ ...
, on 3 November 1867 aged 69. She was buried in the
Cemitério da Consolação, whose original chapel was built with a donation made by Domitila by the amount of 2 ''contos de réis''.
Despite information circulating that the cemetery's land was donated by Marchioness of Santos, this version is incorrect. In fact, the cemetery was built, partly on land in the public domain and partly on land acquired from Marciano Pires de Oliveira for 200, 000 ''reis'', which donated another part. After the inauguration, the area was enlarged with land expropriated by councilor Ramalho and Joaquim Floriano Wanderley.
Her grave in the Cemitério da Consolação, as well the two other plots she bought and adjoining her gravesite —where her younger brother Francisco de Castro do Canto e Melo, her son FelÃcio Pinto Coelho de Mendonça e Castro, and, after a recent discovery, her daughter the Countess of Iguaçu, were also buried—, were all recovered in the 1980s by the Italian accordionist
Mario Zan, one of Domitila's most famous and fervent admirers; he took care of the deposit for the maintenance of the gravesites for years and when he died in 2006 he was buried in a tomb in front of the Marchioness. Even after his death, Mario Zan continues, in a way, to pay for the maintenance of Domitila's gravesite, because according to his will, the copyrights of his music was destined to this purpose.
Domitila's grave always receives fresh flowers from people who continue to consider her a popular saint. Among the legends is that she protects the
prostitute
Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-penet ...
s of the city and, due to having achieved a good marriage and restructuring worthily after her scandalous relationship with Emperor Pedro I of Brazil, she became an inspiration for girls who wanted to marry well. In her grave headstone there plaques from devotees thanking her for some grace.
Ancestry
Representations in culture
Movies
*In the silent film ''O Grito do Ipiranga'' (1917), Domitila was portrayed by LuÃza Lambertini.
*In the
Argentine
Argentines (mistakenly translated Argentineans in the past; in Spanish (masculine) or (feminine)) are people identified with the country of Argentina. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Argentines, s ...
film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
''Embrujo'' (1941), with direction and argumentation by
Enrique Susini.
*In the film ''Independência ou Morte'' (1972), Domitila was portrayed by
Glória Menezes
Nilcedes Soares de Magalhães ( née Guimarães; born 19 October 1934), known professionally as Glória Menezes, is a Brazilian actress.
Life and career
Glória Menezes was born in Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Her real name, Ni ...
.
Theater
*In
Viriato Correia's play ''A Marquesa de Santos'' (1938), the Marchioness of Santos was portrayed by
Dulcina de Moraes.
*At the
revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...
''No Paço da Marquesa'' (1950), with the
Vedette VirgÃnia Lane in the role of Domitila.
*In the play ''O Imperador Galante'' (1954), written by Raimundo Magalhães Júnior, with Domitila being again portrayed by Dulcina de Moraes.
*In the play ''Um grito de liberdade'' (1972), by
Sérgio Viotti, with actress Nize Silva in the role of Domitila.
*In the play ''Pedro e Domitila'' (1984), written by Ênio Gonçalves, Domitila was portrayed by Taya Perez.
*In the monologue ''Marquesa de Santos: verso & reverso'' (2019), written by Paulo Rezzutti, Domitila was portrayed by Beth Araújo.
Radio
*Dramatization of ''A Marquesa de Santos'', by writer
Paulo Setúbal
Paulo de Oliveira Leite Setúbal (January 1, 1893 – May 4, 1937) was a Brazilian writer, lawyer, journalist, essayist and poet.
He occupied the 31st chair of the Brazilian Academy of Letters
The Academia Brasileira de Letras (ABL) ( Engl ...
by Rádio Nacional Rio de Janeiro, in 1946.
*''D. Pedro e a Marquesa de Santos'', written by broadcaster Cassiano Gabus Mendes, was aired by
Rádio Record
Rádio Record is a Brazilian radio station based in São Paulo, Brazil. It is part of the Grupo Record and operates in the frequency 1000 kHz AM. It has programming dedicated to sports, news, and popular programs.
History
Rádio Record was ...
,
São Paulo
São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...
, on 7 September 1950.
Television
*In the televised play ''A Marquesa de Santos'', aired on 12 February 12, 1962 on the program Teatro Nove, on
TV Excelsior
Rede Excelsior was a Brazilian television network founded by Mário Wallace Simonsen on July 9, 1960, in São Paulo, São Paulo. Its last broadcast happened on September 30, 1970, when the Brazilian military dictatorship put an abrupt end to ...
, Channel 9, São Paulo, the role of the Marchioness was portrayed by
Cleyde Yáconis
Cleyde Yáconis (14 November 1923 – 15 April 2013) was a Brazilian actress.
Life and career
She began her career at Brazilian Comedy Theater (TBC) with her sister, actress Cacilda Becker. Having a repertoire of more varied and illustrious the ...
.
*In the soap opera ''Helena'' (1987), the Marchioness was portrayed by Norma Suely.
*In the mini-series ''Marquesa de Santos'' (1984) on
Rede Manchete
Rede Manchete (; lit.: Headline Network; also known as TV Manchete or only Manchete) was a Brazilian television network that was founded in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1983 by the Ukrainian-Brazilian journalist and businessman Adolpho Bloch. The ne ...
, the Marchioness was portrayed by
Maitê Proença
Maitê Proença Gallo (born 28 January 1958) is a Brazilian actress, television presenter and writer.
Biography
Maitê Proença was born in São Paulo, Brazil. Her mother was Margot Proença, a philosophy and music teacher who died when Maitê ...
.
*In the miniseries ''Entre o Amor e a Espada'' (2001), by TVE Brasil, the Marchioness was portrayed by Rejane Santos.
*In the
Rede Globo
TV Globo (, "Globe TV", or simply Globo), formerly known as Rede Globo, is a Brazilian free-to-air Television broadcasting, television network, launched by media proprietor Roberto Marinho on 26 April 1965. It is owned by media conglomerate Gr ...
miniseries ''
O Quinto dos Infernos
O Quinto dos Infernos is a 2002 Brazilian historical comedy television miniseries. It was written by Carlos Lombardi, and directed by Wolf Maya and 48 episodes were produced. The protagonist was Marcos Pasquim.
Cast
* Marcos Pasquim - D. Pedro ...
'' (2002), the role of the Marchioness was portrayed by
Luana Piovani
Luana ElÃdia Afonso Piovani (, born 29 August 1976) is a Brazilian actress, TV host, and former model.
Career
Piovani started her career as a Ford Models Agency model in 1990 and a year later spent some time working in Japan.
Piovani's first ...
.
*In Rede Globo's soap opera
''Novo Mundo'' (2017), the role of the Marchioness was portrayed by
Agatha Moreira
Agatha Cerqueira Pereira Moreira (born January 19, 1992) is a Brazilian actress and model. She became known after her participation in the twentieth season of the teen telenovela ''Malhação'' in 2012; before this, she worked as model in several ...
.
Opera
*''Marquesa de Santos'' (1948), composed by João Batista de Siqueira. Opera piece in three acts with libretto by Joaquim Ribeiro.
*''Chalaça'' (1973), by conductor
Francisco Mignone
Francisco Paulo Mignone (September 3, 1897, São Paulo – February 19, 1986, Rio de Janeiro) was one of the most significant figures in Brazilian classical music, and one of the most significant Brazilian composers after Heitor Villa-Lobos. I ...
.
*''Domitila'' (2000), with music and libretto by Rio de Janeiro composer João Guilherme Ripper, inspired by the love letters exchanged between Dom Pedro I and Domitila. The
soprano
A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880&n ...
MaÃra Lauter portrayed Domitila.
Rock
*The album "''Caso Real''" (2015) by the rock band LÃtera that was inspired by the love affair between the Emperor
Pedro I of Brazil
Don (honorific), Dom Pedro I (English: Peter I; 12 October 1798 – 24 September 1834), nicknamed "the Liberator", was the founder and List of monarchs of Brazil, first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. As King Dom Pedro IV, he List of ...
and the Marquesa de Santos, through the book "''TitÃlia e o Demonão – Cartas Inéditas de Dom Pedro I à Marquesa de Santos''", by the writer Paulo Rezzutti.
Sambas plots
*''Os amores célebres do Brasil'' (1966), from
Acadêmicos do Salgueiro
Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, popularly known simply as Salgueiro is a popular samba school from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was established on March 5, 1953 from the merger of Morro do Salgueiro's two samba schools ...
.
*''A Favorita do Imperador'' (1964), from
Imperatriz Leopoldinense
The samba school Imperatriz Leopoldinense was created on March 6, 1956 in the suburb of Ramos, in Rio de Janeiro.
It is named after Maria Leopoldina, archduchess of Austria and Empress of Brazil, consort of Emperor Pedro I.
Imperatriz began i ...
.
*''A flecha do cupido me pegou'' (1981), from
Caprichosos de Pilares.
*''Mulheres que Brilham – a força feminina no progresso social e cultural do paÃs'' (2012), from
Vai-Vai
Grêmio Recreativo Cultural Social Escola de Samba Vai-Vai , popularly known simply as Vai-Vai is a samba school from São Paulo, Brazil. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were in the neighborhood Bixiga, at Rua Marques Lion, a footba ...
.
*''Paixões proibidas e outros amores'' (2014), from Nenê de Vila Matilde.
Notes
References
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Castro, Domitila de
1797 births
1867 deaths
People from São Paulo
Brazilian people of Portuguese descent
House of Braganza
Ladies-in-waiting
Brazilian nobility
Royal mistresses
19th-century Brazilian people
19th-century Brazilian women
Brazilian courtiers