Inezita Barroso

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Ignez Magdalena Aranha de Lima

Years active

1950–2015

Genres

música caipira, sertanejo raiz, mpb, folklore

Instruments

guitar, viola caipira, piano

Biography

Inezita Barroso was born in São Paulo and emerged as one of the most prominent figures in Brazilian traditional culture, working as a singer, instrumentalist, folklorist, and television presenter. From a wealthy background, she began playing the guitar and viola at a young age and later graduated in librarianship from the University of São Paulo before launching her professional career in the 1950s. She gained widespread acclaim for her interpretations of traditional rural music, notably recording the classic "Moda da Pinga" alongside performing works by urban composers like Billy Blanco and Paulo Vanzolini.

Throughout a career spanning over half a century, Barroso recorded dozens of albums and established herself as a vital guardian of Brazilian roots music. She hosted the celebrated television program "Viola, Minha Viola" on TV Cultura for thirty-five years, championing the caipira genre and providing a nationwide platform for traditional musicians. In addition to her musical and cinematic endeavors, she worked as a professor of folklore and was honored with the title of doctor honoris causa, cementing her legacy in Brazilian cultural history alongside contemporaries such as Ruth Guimarães.

Her enduring impact on Brazilian culture led to numerous accolades, including the "Ordem do Ipiranga" medal and election to the Academia Paulista de Letras. Even after her passing in 2015, her contributions continue to be celebrated through cultural exhibitions and annual awards recognizing traditional sertanejo artists. Her multifaceted career remains a cornerstone of the preservation and dissemination of Brazil's folkloric heritage.