Fernando Lopes-Graça

Fernando Lopes-Graça, GOSE, GCIH (1906-1994), was a distinguished Portuguese composer, conductor, and musicologist. Born in Tomar, he was deeply influenced by Portuguese popular music, which he extensively studied and integrated into his works, continuing the traditions of esteemed composers like Francisco de Lacerda. A member of the Portuguese Communist Party, Lopes-Graça was an ardent critic of the Estado Novo regime under António de Oliveira Salazar. His scholarly contributions include completing the Dicionário de Música, initiated by his mentor Tomás Borba.