Moyseis Marques and Guests in Lapa

By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO – He is only 30 years old but has already been compared to some of the country’s greatest samba singers, and on Saturday May 30th Moyseis Marques is going to play Circo Voador to present his latest album “Fases do Coração” (Phases of the Heart).

There will also be some very special guests joining him on stage, including Teresa Cristina, Nicolas Krassik and Velha Guarda da Portela.

Moyseis has been praised for creating a work in which he honors the origins of samba, and keeps up with the traditional genre that was born out of the favelas and suburbs of Rio. He released his first album two years ago and has already achieved a position of honor in Lapa, the neighborhood of samba, music and bohemia, singing every Wednesday at Carioca da Gema in a show that is considered a classic and gets more crowded week after week.

Recently his song “Pretinha, Jóia Rara” was included on the soundtrack of the famous soap opera “Caminho das Índias”, currently airing prime time on the Globo Network. In Brazil, having a song on a soap opera is not only a recognition of a work but is synonymous with opening the door to success all around country.

Moyseis has written eight of the thirteen songs from “Fases do Coração” with partners such as Edu Krieger, Zé Paulo Becker and Luís Carlos Máximo. But there is also room for classics like “Sonho e Saudade” (by Dona Ivone Lara and Delcio Carvalho) and “Lá Se Foi Meu Verão” (Evandro Lima and Marquinho China). Throughout the new album the influence of Luiz Carlos da Vila is also undeniable. The samba composer who sadly died last year has always been a great instructor for Moyseis and on the album he beautifully covers da Vila’s “Oitava Cor”.

But it is the guests at this particular concert who promise to make it a night to remember. Teresa Cristina, the first singer to become truly famous locally with the revitalization of the scene in Lapa, is back on stage having given birth to her first daughter in March.

Also involved will be Nicolas Krassik, a French violinist who moved to Brazil in 2001 and is now more Carioca than European. Despite the fact he plays a classical instrument, Krassik is involved with samba, forró and choro, constantly expanding the limits of the violin.

Plus the participation of Velha Guarda da Portela is always a moving moment. “Velha Guarda” is the name given to the older members of a samba school – in this case they are all on their 70s but have never lost their vitality and passion for music. A classic encounter of two samba generations that share their deep love for the genre.

Moyseis Marques and guests at Lapa – 10 PM
Circo Voador
Rua dos Arcos, S/N – Lapa
Tel.: 2533-0354
Tickets from R$20