Dilu Melo

Origin

Viana, MA

Genres

mpb, folorike, regional music

Instruments

accordion, guitar, violin, piano

Biography

Dilu Melo, born Maria de Lourdes Argollo Oliver in Viana, was a notable Brazilian singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and folklorist. Showing musical precociousness from an early age, she began studying violin at just five years old before moving on to guitar with her mother and piano with teacher Elizéne D'Ambrósio. By the time she was ten, she had already composed her very first piece, a sweet waltz named "Heloísa" dedicated to her younger sister. Her deep dedication to Brazilian roots music eventually led her to compose over a hundred songs throughout her artistic journey.

As her career flourished, she expanded her instrumentation under the influence of Antenógenes Silva, picking up the accordion and earning the affectionate title of "Queen of the Accordion" from the press. She recorded works by prominent musicians like Altamiro Carrilho and Armando Nunes, leaving behind a rich legacy of traditional recordings such as her 1944 release "Fiz a cama na varanda" and 1954's "Os 10 mandamentos do sanfoneiro". Her versatile artistry cemented her as an important figure in Brazil's folkloric musical landscape.

Her prolific output as a composer crossed paths with many legendary voices of Brazilian popular music. Among the prominent interpreters of her catalog were iconic artists like Ademilde Fonseca, Carmen Costa, Nara Leão, Clara Nunes, Marlene, and Dóris Monteiro, alongside international figures like Amália Rodrigues. Dilu Melo passed away in Rio de Janeiro, leaving an enduring mark on the heritage of Brazilian folk and popular music alongside contemporaries like Fagner.