Carlos Seixas (1704-1742) was born in Coimbra, Portugal. His father, Francisco Vaz, was organist at the Coimbra Cathedral. When he was only 14, he succeeded to this position upon his father's death. In 1720 he moved to Lisbon where he developed his talent. He was appointed organist of the Lisbon Cathedral, with additional duties in the Royal Chapel. At the same time he became music teacher to the most noble families of Lisbon.
Domenico Scarlatti, who came to Portugal in 1721 as first master of the Royal Chapel and teacher of the infant Dona Maria Barbara, considered Seixas one of the best organists he had ever heard. In spite of this contact with a Neapolitan master, Seixas never let himself be dominated by the Italianism that ruled the music world at that time.
Although not of noble birth, his musical success won him the privilege of membership in the Sant'Iago Order, and the titles of Captain of the Ordinance of the Court and Knight of Christ's Order.
