Summary

This book provides the first detailed investigation into a particular aspect of Macau’s rich musical tapestry during the past five centuries. Drawing on a wide range of primary sources, including travellers’ accounts, government documents, music manuscripts, newspapers reviews as well as the body of research on the history of Macau, the author discusses the unique relationship between religious faith and military defence within the context of Portugal and its Asian colonies and the consequent role of the Catholic Church and the military bands in shaping the musical life of Macau between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.