Roberto Roberti

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1935–2004

Genres

MPB, samba, marcha de carnaval

Instruments

acoustic guitar

Biography

Roberto Roberti, born in Rio de Janeiro on August 9, 1915, was a renowned Brazilian composer associated with MPB, and was especially active in the Rio neighborhood of Tijuca. His career in composition began in 1935, a period in which he stood out for the quality of his works amidst a highly competitive musical scene.

Throughout his career, he composed various genres, with a particular emphasis on sambas and Carnival marches, having the composer Arlindo Marques Jr. as his most frequent partner. Together, they achieved great success in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, scoring hits in the voices of major names such as Carmen Miranda, who recorded compositions by the duo as early as 1935.

In addition to his artistic output, Roberti played a fundamental role in the country's copyright organization, participating in the initial steps toward the creation of the Brazilian Association of Composers and Authors (ABCA) in 1938 and, later, helping to found the Brazilian Union of Composers (UBC) in 1942. He passed away on August 16, 2004, leaving behind a vast repertoire built in partnership with important figures of national music, such as Mário Lago and Nelson Cavaquinho.