Maria Lúcia Godoy

Origin

Mesquita, RJ

Years active

1940–2025

Genres

classical music, mpb, operatic singing

Instruments

voice, soprano

Biography

Maria Lúcia Godoy was born in Mesquita on September 2, 1924, and passed away in Belo Horizonte on May 16, 2025. She moved to the capital of Minas Gerais as a child, where she graduated in literature from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). She began her musical journey studying with Honorina Prates and Pasquale Gambardella, in addition to further her studies in Germany via a scholarship. Acclaimed as an operatic, chamber, and symphonic soloist singer, she was considered by the celebrated soprano Bidu Sayão as "her only successor."

Throughout her career, Maria Lúcia stood out as one of the greatest interpreters of Heitor Villa-Lobos's work, being especially famous for her recording of Bachianas brasileiras No. 5 and the fourteen Serestas. Her vast repertoire ranged from imperial modinhas, Neapolitan canzonettas, and serestas to pieces by contemporary authors, having collaborated with and interpreted composers and artists such as Tom Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Chico Buarque de Holanda, Edino Krieger, Cláudio Santoro, Ronaldo Miranda, Marlos Nobre, Waldemar Henrique, Hekel Tavares, and Wagner Tiso.

Her voice marked crucial moments in Brazilian history and culture, including performances at the inauguration ceremony of Brasília at the invitation of President Juscelino Kubitschek and at the funeral of filmmaker Glauber Rocha. Decorated with the Grand Cross of the Inconfidência and awarded the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by UFMG, Godoy left an invaluable legacy in the country's classical and popular music, uniting rigorous vocal technique with expressive interpretative sensitivity.