Heleninha Costa

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Helena Costa Grazioli

Years Active

1938–1968

Genres

samba, MPB, bolero, maxixe, marcha

Biography

Heleninha Costa, whose real name was Helena Costa Grazioli, was a Brazilian singer who left her mark during the Golden Age of Radio and in Brazilian popular music. Born in Rio de Janeiro on January 18, 1924, she moved with her family as a child to Santos, São Paulo, where she began her artistic career at Rádio Clube de Santos in 1938. Later, she worked at major radio stations in São Paulo, such as Record and Bandeirantes, before moving to Rio de Janeiro in 1943.

In Rio de Janeiro, Heleninha Costa consolidated her name as one of the leading voices of Rádio Nacional, participating in high-ratings shows such as "Música do Coração". Her career flourished in the 1940s and 1950s, with hits across various musical genres, including sambas, maxixes, and boleros. She also worked as a lady crooner and dancer in casinos such as Urca and Quitandinha.

Throughout her career, Heleninha Costa recorded several albums, notably the LPs "Canta Heleninha Costa" (1959) and "Heleninha Costa" (1956). She was married to musician Ismael Neto, founder of the iconic group Os Cariocas. The singer ended her career in 1968, retiring from the stage and recordings. Heleninha Costa passed away on April 12, 2005, at the age of 81, in Rio de Janeiro, leaving an important legacy in the history of Brazilian music.

Discography

• Única Saída / Juntinho de Ti (1950)
• Heleninha Costa - Cesar de Alencar – Não Interessa Não / Que É Isto (1951)
• Não Consigo Esquecer / Barracão (1952)
• Está Fazendo um Ano / Me Dá, Me Dá (1952)
• Baião Serenata / Por Quanto Tempo? (1952)
• Desespero / Manequins Do Rio (1956)
• Elizeth Cardoso, Heleninha Costa, Carminha Mascarenhas – Música e Poesia de Fernando Lobo (1957)
• Heleninha Costa com Acompanhamento (1957)
• Canta (1959)
• Ninguem Sabe o que Quer/ Exaltação Á Baía
• Coitado Do Frederico / Fracassei
• Heleninha Costa com Severino Araújo e Sua Orquestra Tabajara , com Brasil Quarteto – A Serpente do Faquir / Remexe... Remexe...