Irene Coelho

The singer and radio host Irene Coelho was one of the greatest exponents of popular Portuguese music in Brazil. Although Brazil, throughout his life, he devoted himself entirely the spread of Portuguese culture. Literally, Irene changed the samba fado. Born in the city of Rio Claro to July 4, 1921, the artist was baptized as Irene Aparecida Raymondo. His father was Calabrian and his mother was Rio Clarense, Portuguese daughter of Leiria, a city of the province of Beira Alta. So I ran in the veins of the Italian artist and blood Lusitanian. Upon completing 12 years in 1933, he was living with his family in the railway village in Alto da Serra (current Paranapiacaba). To the amusement of the locals had the Club Lira Serrana where Irene had his first contact with fado - and was in love with this musical rhythm! When he was 15 years asked for the consent of the mother and stepfather to study singing and Portuguese guitar with Professor Alfredo Bastos, a renowned guitarist established in the city of Santos, São Paulo coast. Bastos ran a program in the Atlantic Radio entitled "Saudades de Portugal", broadcast weekly on Thursdays. It was here that Irene premiered at Radio. It was advertised as Irene Raymondo and always heard the following comment: "Raymondo is no last name for a singer." But soon arrumaria a new last name ... Around 1939 Irene began to study singing with Professor Joaquim Gallas, in São Paulo. He met Manoel dos Santos Coelho, a Portuguese "good looking", marketer and also a student of Gallas. The fact is that the two fell in love and eventually married in July 1940. After nine months of marriage, Coelho presented his wife with a radio program. They christened it with the name of "Portuguese Melodies". Premiered on Sunday, 13.4.1941 by the waves of Radio Cosmos. Irene always referred to the program as her "first child". At a time when women were repressed - most husbands did not like to see their wives become artists - the case of Irene was the opposite: Manuel was the biggest supporter of his wife, he contributed as can for her to become a "star" . In 1942 the couple Rabbit decided to try his luck in Rio de Janeiro - cultural and artistic hub of Brazil. The interpreter's intention was to make a record. It reached its end after three years, when she was hired by Continental label, on his first album 78s are set the fates: "Eternal Love" (Antonio Ferreira / Américo Morais) and "Your Guitar" (Belmiro A. Veiga). The monitoring was in charge of the guitars of Antonio Ferreira and Fernando de Freitas. Throughout the period that remained in the "Marvelous City" received the support of the singer Manuel Monteiro. In 1943, Irene received from Monteiro and Joaquim Pimentel slogan that accompany life, "Little Princess of the Portuguese Song". Back banner capital, Irene and her husband continued the "Portuguese Melodies" program, which throughout its history has gone through several radio stations. However, not only music lived the couple Rabbit: one occasion Manoel Monteiro advised his friends and colleagues to open a typical Portuguese restaurant, with music on weekends. The idea was to set up a fine place for frequency families of Portuguese-São Paulo community could spend a weekly average. Manoel Coelho has had experience in the business, always worked as a trader in the food industry. In 1953, it was inaugurated it "Marialva" Rua Luis Goes, 994 in Vila Mariana. Inside was a unique site dedicated to fado: the "Retreat Marialvas". Business followed the wind in saves and Rabbit couple toasted the anniversary of the IV Centenary of São Paulo with a new typical restaurant: the "Solar da Alegria" in 1954, located at Rua da Consolação, 394. They acted feedback artists and the very Irene Coelho (headlining). When "Portuguese Melodies" completed its silver jubilee in April / 1966 Irene and Manuel decided to treat yourself to a walking trip to Portugal. Her because Bilge strong desire to see the country that he loved so much and to review their relatives. Between the months April to June / 1966 traveled from end to end Portugal. In Lisbon, the two attended all fadista city environment. Irene sang, as a special guest in some fado houses. He recalled with nostalgia the great night out beside the diva Amalia Rodrigues. During his career he was the target of many honors. The singer recorded several albums 78s and LPs. Their biggest hits were "Nª. Sra. Fatima "; "Chinelinhas"; "Neighborhoods in Lisbon"; "Miraculous Izildinha"; "Cachopa do Minho"; "Seven skirts" and "Bailinho sprouts." In the early 2000s, the artist was quite ill. The son of aid Irenaeus Coelho (who gave her seven grandchildren and is a professional musician), touched his "Portuguese Melodies" by December 2007. The program was retained for more than six decades in the air. That is, even in the early years of his career with talent and courage, Irene took upon himself the role of disseminator of popular music, responsibility he held until his death at age 86 on June 7, 2008. In July 2011 he was released his biography titled "Irene Coelho, a Brazilian of Portuguese heart," the publisher Institute Memory, authored by journalist Thais Matarazzo. By Thais Matarazzo Journalist, writer and musical researcher. Author of the book "Irene Coelho, a Brazilian of Portuguese heart." Member of the UBE - Brazilian Union of Writers. And columnist Lusiada World Online.