Biography
José Botelho ranks among Brazil’s foremost clarinetists, and leading national composers including Guerra Peixe, Camargo Guarnieri, Francisco Mignone, and Oswaldo Lacerda each honored him by dedicating popular-style pieces. Serving as principal clarinet of the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, he accompanied the ensemble on tours throughout Europe, the United States, and Canada. In recital appearances he appeared as soloist with the National Symphonic Orchestra, the orchestras of Porto and Lisbon in Portugal, the symphony ensembles attached to the municipal theaters of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the orchestra of Campinas, the Orquestra de Câmara de Curitiba, and additional ensembles. After completing musical studies in Portugal, Botelho gave concerts across multiple South American and European countries. Among the chamber ensembles with which he performed, Sexteto do Rio captured first prize at the 1972 International Villa-Lobos Contest for instrumental groups. Botelho issued the recording Música Brasileira Para Clarineta e Piano in 1996, collaborating with pianist Fernanda Chaves Canaud.