Cesária Évora Orchestra

(CV)

More than a voice, Cesária Évora was - and still is - a symbol of Cape Verdean soul around the world. Since her departure in December 2011 at the age of 70, the so-called ‘Barefoot Diva’ has left a void that is difficult to fill. But she also left behind an immortal repertoire that echoes far beyond the Cape Verde islands. In 2012, in a wave of emotion that spread far and wide, thousands of admirers paid tribute to her in emotional concerts in cities such as Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam and Toulouse. Alongside the musicians who accompanied her throughout her life, artists such as Bonga, Angélique Kidjo, Lura, Ismaël Lô, Mayra Andrade, Bernard Lavilliers and Tito Paris came together to remember the woman who took morna to new stages and audiences.

It was precisely from this collective impulse that the Cesária Évora Orchestra was born - a project formed by members of the singer's original band, determined to keep the artist's memory and repertoire alive. The premiere took place in 2014 at the Gamboa Festival in the city of Praia, and since then the Orchestra has been a regular presence on international stages, with concerts that are both celebration and evocation, featuring renowned talents such as Lura, Nancy Vieira, Lucibela, Elida Almeida or Teofito Chantre, among many other internationally recognised talents. More than a tribute, Cesária Évora is an extension of the singer's legacy. With a line-up that crosses generations and geographies, it continues to revisit, with respect and freshness, the themes that made Cesária one of the great ambassadors of Lusophony - from ‘Sodade’ to ‘Petit Pays’ - keeping alive a heritage that transcends borders and will stand the test of time.