Amalia Rodrigues (EN)

Amália da Piedade Rodrigues,famous Portuguese actress and singer, better known as Amalia Rodrigues was born in Lisbon, Portugal on the 23^rd of July in 1920. Since childhood she showed a great passion for singing and in 1939 she formally started to sing which was the initial and successful step in her life. Her first success in music was with the song “Ai Mouraria” in 1945. In 1947 Amalia debuted as an actress in the Portuguese movie “Capas Negras”. This movie became the best movie of the year in Portugal and Amalia became a great international celebrity and the most admired star of Portugal. Moreover, Amalia Rodrigues in more successful films such as "Sangue Toureiro", which is the first Portuguese movie filmed in colour. In 1954 she appeared in Henri Verneul’s film “The Lovers of Lisbon”. Her role in this movie was an important step in her international career. Over the years, she performed nearly all over the world — going as far as the Soviet Union and Israel.

Speaking about Amalia’s career of singing, it was as successful as her career as an actress. Among her well-known songs are: "Lisboa Antiga", "Foi Deus", "Coimbra" (also known as "April in Portugal"), "Barco Negro", "Canção do Mar", "Nem as Paredes Confesso", "Lisboa, Não Sejas Francesa", "Arranjuez, mon amour" (French version of "Concierto de Aranjuez" of Joaquín Rodrigo), "Vou Dar de Beber à Dor" and "Com que Voz" and many other. What is more, Amalia Rodrigues sang poems of several Portuguese poets. Also, in 1959 many magazines chose her as one of the four best female singers in history.

When “Carnation’s Revolution” happened on the 25^th of April in 1974, there were rumors that Amalia collaborated with the deposed government. Then she decided to retire from show business but after one year she came back and acted in Coliseu Theater of Lisbon where 5000 people applauded her on foot. After that, Amalia continued her career and in 1980 she debuted as composer.

Amalia Rodrigues was married twice. Her first husband was Francisco Cruz, a lathe worker and amateur guitar player whom she divorced in 1946. After 15 years, in 1961 she married for the second time. Her husband was César Seabra, a Brazilian engineer and they remained married until his death in 1999. Although Amalia Rodrigues was from family of nine, she herself had no children. This popular singer and actress of Portugal died on the 6^th of October in 1999 and was buried in an impressive funeral ceremony with the massive attendance of her fans.