Cesaria Evora is one of the most famous natives of the Cape Verde Islands, a former African colony of Portugal. She financed education in her homeland after becoming a great singer.
Cesaria always went on stage without shoes, so the media called the singer "Sandal".
How was the childhood and youth of Cesaria Evora?
The life of a future star is by no means easy. Cesaria was born in the second largest city of Cape Verde - Mindelo. In 1941, a drought began there, which later led to famine. In addition to herself, 4 more children were brought up in the family.
Cesaria Evora fondly remembers her grandmother. For a girl, her grandmother was dearer than her mother. It was she who saw the girl's vocal abilities, and insisted that Cesaria develop them while making music.
The girl grew up in a creative family. My father earned money by playing the guitar and violin. He was a street musician. Dad also to some extent influenced the future fate of his daughter.
When the girl is barely 7 years old, the breadwinner dies. Mom has nothing left to do but give her daughter to an orphanage. This was the most reasonable decision, since my mother would not be able to feed her family on her own.
Cesaria spent three years in an orphanage. When the mother stood up, she was able to take her daughter back home. Having become a great singer, Eivora Cesaria will dedicate the song "Rotcha Scribida" to her mother.
Cesaria helps her mother with the housework, because she understands how hard it is for her. The daughter is growing and her voice is literally blossoming. Évora begins to perform in the main square of Mindelo.
Her younger brother accompanied his sister on the saxophone. Soon the girl was offered a job as a singer in a restaurant. She willingly agreed, involuntarily taking a step towards music and recognition.
The beginning of the musical career of Cesaria Evora
Cesaria Evora performed musical compositions in the style of fado and morne. The first musical genre is characterized by a minor key and a stoic acceptance of fate. Morne is characterized by a warm musical palette.
Cesaria Evora worked for a long time as an ordinary singer in a restaurant. This could have gone on for a long time if one day the singer Bana, who also came from Cape Verde, did not get to her performance. A Frenchman with Cape Verdian roots, Jose da Silva, helped in the promotion of the vocalist.
According to music critics, the most popular and high-quality album of the performer is the disc "Miss Perfumado" ("Perfumed Girl"). The performer recorded the presented disc when she was 50 years old. This album has become a gift for many fans of Evora's work.
Creativity Evora was very fond of Russian listeners. Since 2002, Cesaria has repeatedly given performances on the territory of the Russian Federation. "Bésame mucho", written in 1940 by the Mexican Consuelo Velazquez Torres, aroused great admiration among Russian fans.
Cesaria's performances have always been very touching and exciting. It seemed that with her singing she touched directly to the human soul. And what was her gesture with shoes?
It is extremely rare for Cesaria to perform in shoes. The assistants knew that before going on stage, the singer must ask to put her shoes aside.
Many journalists asked Evora the question: why does she take off her shoes before the performance? The performer replied: “Thus, I express solidarity with African women and children living below the poverty line.”
The world career of the singer Cesaria Evora
In early 1980, the performer went on her first world tour of Europe. By the end of the 80s, the singer received worldwide recognition.
The number of fans of her work is increasing tenfold. Women tried to imitate Cesaria - they did funny hairstyles, and some just like she went barefoot.
In 1992, the album “Miss Perfumadu” was released, which the singer recorded in an unusual style for herself. Performing Portuguese folk, intertwined with blues and jazz, in the Creole dialect, the singer receives the title of the best pop singer.
From a commercial point of view, "Miss Perfumadu" became the best-selling album in Cesaria Evora's discography.
For a long musical career, the singer managed to publish 18 albums. She became the owner of the Grammy, Victoire de la Musique, as well as the most prestigious award - the Order of the Legion of Honor.
At the peak of her musical career, the singer visited almost all countries. Including she held a concert on the territory of Ukraine.
Cesaria Evora sang in the shower. This was the secret of the singer's popularity. At the end of her musical career, Evora's name bordered on the names of such stars as Claudia Shulzhenko, Edith Piaf, Madonna and Elvis Presley.
Interesting facts about Cesaria Evora
- The girl met her first love at the age of 16. Young people met in a bar. It is interesting that at that time Cesaria performed in an institution, and a pack of cigarettes was supposed to be her payment for her work.
- For more than 20 years, the singer performed exclusively in restaurants and taverns.
- During her musical career, the singer has earned more than $70 million.
- Cesaria was terribly afraid of water and swimming. Water is the main phobia of the performer.
- Cesaria did not receive a dime for her first album. The people who helped record the album said that the music was of poor quality. A bad record equals zero success, which means the album didn't go on sale. But, it was a big scam. How surprised Cesaria, when they pass by the store, she will hear her voice. It turned out that the first album of the singer is bought, and very willingly.
- Evora suffered a stroke, after which she temporarily lost the opportunity to give performances and record musical compositions.
- All her adult life she helped her region. In particular, she made a great contribution to the development of education.
- On March 8, 2012, one of the three most used airports in Cape Verde on about. San Vicente was renamed in honor of Cesaria Evora.
The memory of Evora is still honored all over the world, in particular, the performer is remembered with trepidation in her historical homeland.
Death of a performer
Fans of the performer's work were waiting for the planned concert. In the spring of 2010, Evora underwent major heart surgery. She sincerely wanted to give songs to her fans, but she had to cancel the performance.
In the spring of 2011, Evora still performs on the territory of the Russian Federation. And in the same year, the performer announced that she was ending her musical career.
In the winter of 2011, the world famous singer passes away. The cause of death was pulmonary and heart failure. Two years after her death, a new album is released, which the singer did not have time to present.
The singer's home has turned into a museum. There you can get acquainted with the biography of the performer, learn about her career, and also look at the personal belongings of Cesaria Evora.
