music
‘We must keep her name alive’: Cesária Évora, the captivating Cape Verdean who went from restaurant singer to global star
After a lifetime of poverty, Évora found huge success aged 51 with 1992 album Miss Perfumado. As Cape Verdean singers celebrate her morna ballads on stage, those who knew her recall her power, pride and constant smoking
TL;DR
- Cesária Évora achieved global success with her 1992 album Miss Perfumado at the age of 51, after a life of poverty.
- Her music, featuring Cape Verdean *mornas*, blended Portuguese and West African languages, gaining significant popularity in Europe and the US.
- Évora's career began in her teens, with early recordings failing to gain traction, leading to a period of struggle before her resurgence.
- She was known for her barefoot performances, which she attributed to comfort rather than political solidarity.
- Évora expressed a desire for recognition earlier in life and a preference for her homeland over international fame and glamour.
- Her later career was managed by José da Silva, who founded the Lusafrica label for her, and she collaborated with numerous musicians.
- Despite health issues, including a stroke and heart surgery, Évora continued to sing until her death in 2011.
- Cape Verdean artists are actively celebrating her legacy, ensuring her name and music remain alive.