Barefoot diva Cesaria Evora dies

Cesaria Evora, the internationally adored Cape Verdean singer, died on Saturday, December 17, at age 70, in hospital, according to the Cape Verde Culture Minister.

Evora, who was known as the "Barefoot Diva" due to her penchant for performing without shoes, died in the Baptista de Sousa Hospital in Mindelo, on her native island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde.

Placed in an orphanage from the age of 10 by her mother, three years after her father passed away, Evora was working as a seamstress when, at age 16, she was persuaded by a friend to sing in a local sailors' tavern.

With her smoky, melancholy-filled voice, she brought the Cape Verdean musical genre of morna to new audiences worldwide.

She first attained international recognition with her 1988 album “La Diva Aux Pieds Nus” (“Barefoot Diva”), recorded in France. She earned her first Grammy nomination with her 1995 album “Cesaria”, and won a Grammy award for her 2003 album “Voz D'Amor”.

A heavy smoker, Evoria's signature move was to take a break during her performances to enjoy a cigar--which she did at the Orpheum Theatre in 2006--and, in earlier years, chase it with a shot of whiskey.

Diagnosed with heart problems in 2005, Evora suffered strokes in 2008 and in September 2011, when she announced she was retiring.

Here she is singing one of her greatest hits, "Sodade", in her inimitable style:

Comments

4 Comments

josephine harris

Dec 19, 2011 at 12:21pm

I am weeping, it is so sad to lose her. She is our mother, the lost one, singing everything I feel in my heart. Her face says it all, the tired patience with all her suffering. You have brought so much to us during your life, I wish you were not gone from us.

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Matilda Gomes

Dec 19, 2011 at 2:17pm

Cesaria Evora made Cape Verdean music an internationlly recognized art form. This made us very proud coming from such a small island. Her voice will be missed, but not silenced. Rest in peace querida.

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Maureen Doyle

Dec 19, 2011 at 9:51pm

I remember the first time I hear the voice of Cesaria Evora. It was in a restaurant in Victoria, BC. Her unique style was arresting. Not understanding the lyrics was of no importance, the passion and authenticity of her voice spoke to me. I feel blessed to have heard her in concert in a fairly intimate setting a few years ago in this city.
She will always be with us.

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Edwidge

Dec 20, 2011 at 2:22am

I am very sad, may she rest in peace. I love all her songs

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