Capiba

Origin

Surubim, PE

Also known as

Lourenço da Fonseca Barbosa

Years Active

1924–1997

Genres

frevo, samba, guarânia, maracatu, classical music, MPB

Instruments

piano, horn

Biography

Lourenço da Fonseca Barbosa, artistically known as Capiba, was born in Surubim, Pernambuco, on October 28, 1904. The son of a municipal band maestro, he had an early exposure to music, learning to play the horn at age eight and working as a child pianist in movie theaters in Paraíba. Before establishing himself in music, he even played soccer as a defender for Campinense Clube. He moved to Recife at age 26, where he worked at Banco do Brasil after passing a civil service exam, which provided him with financial stability while developing his brilliant artistic career and solidifying his reputation as Brazil's most famous frevo composer.

Throughout his career, Capiba stood out not only in frevo — a genre in which he composed over a hundred songs and classics such as "É de Amargar" and "Madeira que Cupim Não Rói" —, but also in samba, guarânia, maracatu, and waltzes, such as the major national hit "Maria Betânia", recorded by Nelson Gonçalves. He had a prominent cultural impact in Pernambuco, founding the Jazz Band Acadêmica, performing alongside names like Hermeto Pascoal and Sivuca in the trio "O Mundo Pegando Fogo", in addition to setting poems by great writers such as Carlos Drummond de Andrade and Vinicius de Moraes to music.

He passed away in Recife on December 31, 1997, at the age of 93, leaving behind a vast body of work comprising hundreds of recorded and unreleased songs. His contribution to Pernambucan and Brazilian culture remains alive in carnivals and in the country's musical memory, being revered for his genius and for memorable partnerships with renowned poets and musicians.

Discography

• Carnaval de Capiba III - Frevo, Alegria da Gente (1974)
• Carnaval de Capiba II - Carnaval Começa com "C" de Capiba (1978)
• Capiba, Expedito Baracho, Clóvis Pereira – Capiba, Ontem, Hoje e Sempre (1982)
• Capiba 86 Anos – E Seus Grandes Sucessos (1990)
• Carnaval de Capiba (25 Anos de Frevo) (1997)
• Viva Capiba! Frevos Inesquecíveis (2000)
• César Guerra-Peixe, Capiba, Titulares do Ritmo, Orquestra e Coro RGE – Sedução do Norte
• Capiba Cidadão Frevo - Série Nossos Valores