Cesária Evora dies, aged 70
19th December 2011
Internationally acclaimed Cape Verdean singer Cesária Evora passed away on Saturday aged 70, in her home-town of Mindelo
Cesária Evora, who brought the haunting music of her native country to concert stages around the world, has died aged 70, in her home-town of Mindelo, on São Vicente island.
She began her career singing as a teenager in the bay-side bars of Cape Verde, working for drinks. Cesária went on to become an international icon, performing in stadiums around the world with the same informal attitude as those original, intimate bay-side gigs.
Dubbed the Barefoot Diva, for her habit of performing without shoes, Cesária embodied morna; a slow, lyrical music style infused with feelings of nostalgia and melancholy.
Growing up in São Vicente in times of famine, injustice and pain, her Creole lyrics were testament to Cape Verde's history, through her own personal experiences of suffering, separation and sadness.
Having become a national icon, as well as selling millions of records around the world and winning a Grammy Award in 2003, Cesária was forced into retirement in September, due to health issues.
The government in Cape Verde have declared two days of national mourning in her honour.
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