Elizete Cardoso is widely considered Brazil's first popular bossa nova singer. She started singing early and was discovered at age 16 in 1936. Her first recording was issued in 1950. Between 1950 and 1958, she released more than 35 singles and albums, establishing her as a prominent artist. In 1958, emerging lyricist Vinicius de Moraes asked her to record an album of songs he wrote with composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. Elizete agreed.
The result was Canção do Amor Demais. Though her voice tended to sound operatic and earnest on the material, the album is credited with giving Brazilian listeners their first taste of the music by the new bossa nova songwriters. Released on the small Festa label, Canção do Amor Demais gained traction in Brazil. Cardoso landed an opportunity to sing the original version of Manhã de Carnaval on the Black Orpheus soundtrack.
But her album would quickly be eclipsed. A year later, in 1959, João Gilberto released Chega de Saudade on the more prominent Odeon label. Gilberto's album became an international pop sensation, promoting the bossa nova worldwide. By comparison, Gilberto's voice was dry, confidential and upbeat—a new contemporary sound that was perfect for the music's lyrical minimalism. What's more, his sensitive voice on the album was supported by his hypnotic acoustic guitar and fresh chord voicings, all framed by Jobim's soaring arrangements.
Elizete Cardoso died in 1990.
Here's Elizete Cardoso's groundbreaking Canção do Amor Demais in 1958...
For more, here are links to the other female Brazilian singers I've covered in this ongoing series: Syliva Telles, Beth Carvalho, Nara Leão, Eliana Pittman, Elis Regina, Ana Mazzotti and Maria Creuza.
