Having begun composing at an early age, Gomes next entered the conservatory of music in Rio de Janeiro. He was initially drawn to opera and this was reinforced at the conservatory. Gomes had his greatest successes in this medium. Influenced by the works of Rossini, Verdi, Bellini and Donizetti, most of his operas were composed in the Italian fashion. His first two operas' "A noite do castelo," and "Joana de Flandres," were so meritorious that he was afforded the opportunity to study in Milan with Rossi. The majority of the remainder of his life was spent in Italy. Gomes' singularly most important work was "Il Guarany" first presented at La Scala. It was described as a work of genius by Verdi and included sonorous melodies, moving formulae and a libretto (written by Gomes) based on Brazilian themes. Its overture has since become likened to a second national anthem for the people of Brazil. The opera "Lo sciavo" (1880) was composed by Gomes after a visit to Brazil inspired by the abolition of slavery. Some of his later works employed the use of leitmotifs but many of his earlier operas followed the conventions of Italian opera. Operatic passages and rhythms often indicate and illustrate a definitive Brazilian pathos. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi