Marcílio Lopes

Origin

Cabo Frio, RJ

Also known as

Marcílio Marques Lopes

Genres

choro, MPB, instrumental music

Instruments

mandolin, guitar

Biography

Marcílio Lopes is a highly respected Brazilian musician, composer, arranger, and musicologist, born on February 22, 1960, in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Composition and a Doctorate in Musicology from UNIRIO, with his doctoral thesis focusing on the influence of vocal music on the consolidation of Jacob do Bandolim's musical style. Lopes is also a self-taught mandolin player and has a prior degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Throughout his career, Lopes has been an active instrumentalist, participating in notable Brazilian ensembles such as Água de Moringa (with whom he has released six CDs), Bandolinata, and Caldereta Carioca. He has also collaborated with renowned MPB artists like Zeca Pagodinho, Fundo de Quintal, Nana Caymmi, and Martinho da Vila, showcasing his versatility in studio recordings. His work extends to music editing and revision, contributing to significant projects like the "Sambabook" series and Jacob do Bandolim's "Caderno de Partituras".

Lopes is also dedicated to music education and the dissemination of choro culture through the Escola Portátil de Música. In 2012, he published "Harmonia ao Bandolim," a book that explores harmonic possibilities for the instrument, drawing from classical harmony and popular music practices. His academic and practical contributions have solidified his position as a key figure in contemporary Brazilian instrumental music.