As Guerras Do Alecrim
e Mangerona

Wars of Rosemary and Marjoram" (Guerras do Alecrim e Mangerona), by António José da Silva, was first performed at the Bairro Alto Theater during the Carnival of 1737, featuring music by António Teixeira and using puppets. A central work by this Portuguese playwright, Guerras do Alecrim e Mangerona inherits a tradition of Iberian theater that was prominently present at the time in the comedy courtyards (pátios de comédia) of Lisbon. It is from this world that social satire emerges, employing character archetypes such as servants, lower nobility aspiring to wealth and status, doctors, and judges. However, the author's designation of the piece as a "Joco-Serious Opera" (Ópera Joco-Séria) already connects it with the new wave of Italian Opera that was being introduced to the Court theaters. It is, therefore, not only a comedy of social criticism, but also a critique of the new standards of theater.

The plot is filled with twists and confusions that, combined with the diverse personalities of the characters, create a labyrinthine intrigue. Thus, we have two fortune hunters, D. Gilvaz and D. Fuas, who cross paths in the street with two sisters, D. Cloris and D. Nize, and immediately declare their interest in winning them over. Both sisters declare themselves members of two rival factions (ranchos)—Rosemary (Alecrim) and Marjoram (Mangerona)—thus sparking a rivalry between the two men for their beloveds' hearts. They are accompanied by Semicúpio, D. Gilvaz's crafty servant, who instantly falls in love with Sevadilha, the sisters' maid.

They soon discover that D. Cloris and D. Nize are the nieces of the wealthy D. Lancerote, who plans to marry one of them to his nephew D. Tibúrcio, becoming the main obstacle to the suitors' plans. Relying on cunning and tricks, the servant Semicúpio decides to help D. Gilvaz in his pursuit, devising ways to infiltrate D. Cloris's residence. Meanwhile, D. Fuas relies on the assistance of Fagundes, D. Lancerote's elderly maid.

A series of attempts follow by Semicúpio and Fagundes (with Sevadilha's connivance) to bring the two couples together and arrange meetings at the young women's house, away from their elderly uncle's knowledge. To achieve this, they resort to strategies such as entering through seemingly haunted boxes, dressing the young men as women, doctors, and even a judge. It all culminates in a final victory, with the "judge" Semicúpio decreeing the marriages of D. Gilvaz to D. Cloris, D. Fuas to D. Nize, and himself, Semicúpio, to Sevadilha, thus bringing an end to the wars between the Rosemary and Marjoram factions.