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ACOUSTIC AFFAIR - Bossa Nova celebrates 50 years and London swings to it again

In April 1958, Elizeth Cardoso recorded the song Chega de Saudade by maestro Tom Jobim, featuring just her voice accompanied by João Gilberto's acoustic guitar. That was the fi rst ever bossa-nova recording. Three months later, during the same year, João Gilberto recorded the song on an album released by record label Odeon. The Brasilian musical movement, recognised as one of the most important in the world, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

In May, the Barbican will be promoting a bossa-nova tribute show that will bring together three generations of artists linked to the movement. On the 26th, Carlos Lyra, João Donato, Roberto Menescal, Dori Caymmi, Vinícius Cantuária, Celso Fonseca and Joycewill all be playing on stage together. Guitarist and singer songwriter Carlos Lyra, along with pianist and composor João Donato, was part of the pioneering group of bossa musicians alongside João Gilberto, Tom Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes. Roberto Menescal, another contemporary, co-wrote O Barquinho, the bossa-nova hit.

But if you want a headstart and to get into the bossa-nova swing of things before the
Barbican show, the musical Poor Little Rich Girl, written by Vinicius de Moraes (author of The Girl from Ipanema), is running at the Etcetera Theatre in Camden. The musical includes 12 songs composed by two bossa heavy-weights: Vinícius de Moraes and Carlos Lyra - which will be performed in English, telling the story of a rich girl who falls in love with a beggar-poet.

POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL
14th Apr and 20th Apr / £10
265 Camden High Street
ETCETERATHEATRE.COM

50 YEARS OF BOSSA NOVA
26 May – 7.30 pm / £20 - £30
Brabican Hall
BARBICAN.ORG.UK