Silva was born on 21 February in Rio de Janeiro and died on 18 December 1865, at the age of 70, in the same city.

He had great prominence in the musical life of Rio de Janeiro in the period between the death of José Maurício Nunes Garcia and Antônio Carlos Gomes.

He was taught by José Maurício Nunes Garcia and, most probably, by Sigismund Neukomm.

He was directly responsible for Capela Imperial's reinstatement and being turned to its old beauty.

He left a handful of works, spread around Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo archives, covering gospel music, modinhas and lundus.