Poet, musician, playwright and diplomat. Born Marcus Vinitius da Cruz e Mello Moraes, was a fundamental figure in Brazilian "Bossa Nova" music. Before finishing law studies published the first book of poems, "O Caminho para a Distancia" which opened the doors of fame. He traveled to England, to studied English literature at Oxford and later entered to diplomatic life serving in the United States, France and Uruguay. In 1956 he wrote the play "Orfeu da Conceição" filmed under the title of "Black Orpheus", awarded the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1958 and the Oscar in 1959. His poem book "New Poems II" published in the early eighties, contains his best poems. As a poet, he wrote lyrics for a great number of songs that became all-time bossa nova and samba classics as: "A felicidade", "Água de beber", "Eu sei que vou te amar", "O que tinha de ser", "Canto de Ossanha", "Samba da rosa", "Berimbau", "Tarde em Itapoã", "Se todos fossem iguais a você", "A tonga da mironga du Kabuleté", "Samba de bençao", among over 400 compositions. He also authored with Antonio Carlos Jobim the legendary song "A garota de Ipanema" ("The girl from Ipanema"), recorded in several languages and by the most important singers in the world, including Frank Sinatra. He also was discoverer of great talents as Toquinho, María Creuza, Marilia Medalha, Maria Bethania, and many more, today important figures of contemporary Brazilian music.
Cause of death: stroke.
Cause of death: stroke.
Poet, musician, playwright and diplomat. Born Marcus Vinitius da Cruz e Mello Moraes, was a fundamental figure in Brazilian "Bossa Nova" music. Before finishing law studies published the first book of poems, "O Caminho para a Distancia" which opened the doors of fame. He traveled to England, to studied English literature at Oxford and later entered to diplomatic life serving in the United States, France and Uruguay. In 1956 he wrote the play "Orfeu da Conceição" filmed under the title of "Black Orpheus", awarded the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 1958 and the Oscar in 1959. His poem book "New Poems II" published in the early eighties, contains his best poems. As a poet, he wrote lyrics for a great number of songs that became all-time bossa nova and samba classics as: "A felicidade", "Água de beber", "Eu sei que vou te amar", "O que tinha de ser", "Canto de Ossanha", "Samba da rosa", "Berimbau", "Tarde em Itapoã", "Se todos fossem iguais a você", "A tonga da mironga du Kabuleté", "Samba de bençao", among over 400 compositions. He also authored with Antonio Carlos Jobim the legendary song "A garota de Ipanema" ("The girl from Ipanema"), recorded in several languages and by the most important singers in the world, including Frank Sinatra. He also was discoverer of great talents as Toquinho, María Creuza, Marilia Medalha, Maria Bethania, and many more, today important figures of contemporary Brazilian music.
Cause of death: stroke.
Cause of death: stroke.
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