Lia de Itamaracá: the diva-queen of ciranda
Legendary singer plays rock festival and releases an album after a 23-year interruption
Rodrigo Faour
30/10/2000
Many people used to think that she was a legend, due to the verse of a very popular ciranda song that mentions her. Well, she does exist, 56 years old and a 43-year career. Coming from the Itamaracá Island, the nice, tall and charismatic lady has been rediscovered only three years ago by producer Beto Hees – the same guy who rescued Dona Selma do Coco from oblivion. Willing to put Lia back where she belonged (inside the music biz), he got her a gig at Abril Pro Rock (yearly rock fest that takes place in Recife, capital of Pernambuco, in the Northeast) in 1998. As a result, she was rediscovered by the media and managed to release her first CD, Eu Sou Lia (read the critic), which happens to be her second album – the first was released in 1977 without getting much attention.
Now, Lia is on tour in Brazil, sometimes opening for acts like Manu Chao. Beto plans to take her to Europe in 2001, since her album is being released there through the French label Arion.
"Beto listened to my songs and went to the island to meet me. He asked if I needed a producer and I told him that was exactly what I was looking for, because I had no support. He came on the right time!", celebrates Lia, who has sung and danced the ciranda from a very tender age. "I dreamt of being a singer since I was born. It’s so beautiful to sing and dance; and on the island, the air is so good and beautiful, and the sand is so soft. As a matter of fact, my compositions are totally inspired by the sea. It moves me", she explains.
For all these years, Lia couldn’t make a living out music. She worked as cook at a bar called Sargaço, playing ciranda on the weekends. Then, she changed jobs. "I’ve been working on a public school for 19 years as a cook, and during the breaks I call the kids to sing and dance. Now, to go on this tour, I had to take some days off. They think I ain’t coming back. But I am, that’s for sure. Only, in spite of the yearning, I needed to leave for a little while", tells Lia, who loves children. "I’m mad about them. When they see me, they go: ‘What a giant woman! Are you a psychic?’, to which I answer: ‘No, I’m a cirandeira (ciranda performer)! I’ll teach you how to do it!’", she laughs.
Melodies to warm up Maria Moura
Lia is also on a film called Maria Moura (directed by Leilane Fernandes). She has already started shooting her scenes as the slave Libânia. "I have to bathe Maria Moura, answer a few questions and sing a few cirandas and cocos to warm her up. It’s a cool movie", she anticipates.
Now, Lia is on tour in Brazil, sometimes opening for acts like Manu Chao. Beto plans to take her to Europe in 2001, since her album is being released there through the French label Arion.
"Beto listened to my songs and went to the island to meet me. He asked if I needed a producer and I told him that was exactly what I was looking for, because I had no support. He came on the right time!", celebrates Lia, who has sung and danced the ciranda from a very tender age. "I dreamt of being a singer since I was born. It’s so beautiful to sing and dance; and on the island, the air is so good and beautiful, and the sand is so soft. As a matter of fact, my compositions are totally inspired by the sea. It moves me", she explains.
For all these years, Lia couldn’t make a living out music. She worked as cook at a bar called Sargaço, playing ciranda on the weekends. Then, she changed jobs. "I’ve been working on a public school for 19 years as a cook, and during the breaks I call the kids to sing and dance. Now, to go on this tour, I had to take some days off. They think I ain’t coming back. But I am, that’s for sure. Only, in spite of the yearning, I needed to leave for a little while", tells Lia, who loves children. "I’m mad about them. When they see me, they go: ‘What a giant woman! Are you a psychic?’, to which I answer: ‘No, I’m a cirandeira (ciranda performer)! I’ll teach you how to do it!’", she laughs.
Melodies to warm up Maria Moura
Lia is also on a film called Maria Moura (directed by Leilane Fernandes). She has already started shooting her scenes as the slave Libânia. "I have to bathe Maria Moura, answer a few questions and sing a few cirandas and cocos to warm her up. It’s a cool movie", she anticipates.