A rapid learner, he soon obtained a better-paid job with another printing house, owned by João José da Mota, which made posters for theatres.

[1][2][3] Taborda made his debut as an amateur actor at the small Teatro Timbre, situated on Rua do Arco a São Mamede in Lisbon.

However, the political and social instability of the time, which culminated in the Maria da Fonte Revolution of 1846, harmed all Lisbon's theatres and Taborda temporarily moved away from the stage.

In the same year, the Teatro Taborda was inaugurated in Lisbon, also in his honour, built on land belonging to a defunct Jesuit college.

In 1883, King D. Luís I granted him an honourable retirement, with a pension, having already made him a Commander of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword.

[4] In the last year of his life, due to his poor health, Taborda rarely left his modest home, on the second floor of 76, Rua do Diário de Notícias, in the parish of Encarnação (Lisbon), where he lived with his wife.

The funeral, which took place at 3:00 pm the following day, featured numerous tributes, extensive wreaths, dedications from several friends and theatre companies and associations as well as the participation of King Manuel II and Queen D. Amélia.