António Fortunato de Sousa joined the Navy Band as a cabin boy musician and reached the rank of First Lieutenant. As an officer, he simultaneously held the positions of deputy bandmaster and director of the course in clarion.
He stood out as an excellent saxophone player, not only in the Navy Band but also in the civil context; it is worth mentioning that, when he attended the National Conservatory, he completed his course earning the award for best wind instrumentalist.
Born in Montijo, Fortunato de Sousa also dedicated himself to composition, having written several popular works, sometimes with a strong Spanish influence.
However, his nationalism is quite evident in most of his works, by the way he arranged various popular Portuguese themes, from which we highlight the popular 'Vira', in the fantasia included in this programme, entitled 'Ai Vira que Vira'.
The theme 'Marcha dos Marinheiros', written by Carlos Calderon for the film Bocage, was introduced into the Navy Band's repertoire by maestro Fortunato de Sousa, who adapted it for the Band that made it popular throughout the country.