Marcos Leite

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1967–2002

Genres

MPB, choral music, classical music

Instruments

voice

Biography

Marcos Leal Leite was a Brazilian conductor, composer, and arranger, born in Rio de Janeiro on March 25, 1953. Recognized as a turning point in Brazilian choral music, Leite dedicated his career to aesthetic innovation and the popularization of choral singing in the country. His influence extended through compositions and arrangements that shaped the genre's aesthetic.

From an early age, Marcos Leite showed an interest in music, beginning his studies at the age of five and turning professional in choral and vocal singing in 1967. He was a student of renowned masters and studied at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). His trajectory includes the creation and direction of several choirs, notably the Cultura Inglesa Choir (later renamed Cobra Coral) and the iconic vocal group Garganta Profunda, founded in 1985. With Garganta Profunda, Leite promoted a fusion of music and theater, revolutionizing choral performance with innovative scenic and visual approaches.

In addition to his work as a conductor and composer, Marcos Leite was a dedicated teacher, giving courses and seminars at important music festivals and workshops throughout Brazil, such as the Londrina Festival, the Curitiba Music Workshops, and the Ouro Preto Instrumental Music Festival. His work also expanded to arrangements for renowned artists such as Caetano Veloso, Edu Lobo, and Chico Buarque, and for music in shows and theatrical plays. Marcos Leite passed away on January 14, 2002, in Rio de Janeiro, a victim of a brain tumor, leaving a significant legacy for Brazilian music.