Maria Madalena Correio do Nascimento, better known as Lia, was born in the island of Itaramacá in 1944, about 40 km. north of Recife, Brazil. That’s where she got her artistic name from. Lia started singing ciranda when she war 11 years old and has not stopped since then.
When she war 18 years old she composed, together with Teca Calazans, the song that made her well known all over Brazil: “esta ciranda quem me deu foi Lia/que mora na ilha de Itamaraca” (this ciranda was given to me by Lia who lives in Itamaraca Island). In 1977 she recorded her first LP. Since this time she remained singing cirandas at the Island but a little bit away from the stages and her audience.
Lia’s comeback was in 1997 after the meeting with Beto Hees, the producer of Dona Selma do Coco’s CD, recorded in Berlin in 1997, winner of the Sharp award in Brazil. Since then, Lia has been participating in important events in Brazil.
She was anchor of the Project “Ciranda de Ritmos” Nov. 1999 – March 2000, where she invited different bands and groups from Pernambuco, once a week, to perform. The shows took place in Recife, Olinda and Itamaraca Island, free of charge to the public. The Project had as a goal to show all the rhythms of Pernambuco State as well as to bring this rhythm and dance, the Ciranda, to the place it once belonged in Brazilian culture. Lia’s last show of the Project, at the end of March 2000, was with Chico César who wanted to make a tribute to her. They played together for more than 4000 people in Recife.
Two important Videos were recorded during this period, “Retratos do Brasil” (Brazil Portrait) and “Serie Patrimoni Cultural Brasileiro” (Cultural Patrimony of Brazil) by Globosat. She was also filmed by the Finnish filmmaker Mika Kaurismaki in Feb. 2000. He went to Brazil to make a film about its musical culture. This film was broadcasted in May by the network Arte in Germany, France and all over Europe.
Lia’s first CD was recorded live in November of 1998, in Rio de Janeiro, at the Voice of the World festival. This CD was pre-released during the Carnaval 2000 in Olinda. Her deep and powerful voice showed how far this “Queen of the Ciranda” could go. Lia’s recordings are now available in Europe and Japan.
Discography:
Eu Sou Lia (Ciranda Records, 2000)
Ciranda de Ritmos (Assunção, 2008)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
