Francisco Alves

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Francisco de Morais Alves was a Brazilian singer, better known as Francisco Alves, Chico Alves or Chico Viola. He was born on 19 August 1898 and was regarded in the first half of the twentieth century as one of Brazil's most popular singers. Many consider him the greatest of his country. The quality of his work confirmed that status as early as 1933.

Music and breakthrough

He recorded more than five hundred 78 rpm records, including the first electrical recording made in Brazil. He sang songs by composers such as Cartola, Heitor dos Prazeres and Ismael Silva. One of his best-known recordings is Aquarela do Brasil from 1939, the song by Ary Barroso, which he was the first to record. Alves was killed in 1952 in a car accident on the Rodovia Presidente Dutra, near Pindamonhangaba.

Influence

His time was the time of radio and the 78 rpm record. Alves belonged to the singers who spread samba to a large audience throughout Brazil. Aquarela do Brasil later became one of the best-known Brazilian songs outside the country. His voice, powerful and direct, suits the samba-canção of those years, in which the orchestra supports the singer and the lyrics carry the song.

Listening

• 
  Aquarela do Brasil · Francisco Alves, 1939
  Apple Music ↗

Discography

Studio albums

• 2014Seresteiro