Alzirinha Camargo

Biography

Born in the neighborhood of Brás and raised by her godparents in Itapetininga, São Paulo, Camargo studied to become a teacher, but chose singing instead, starting her career on 'Rádio Record's amateur talent shows, at the age of 16, followed by her film debut on Cousas Nossas (1931). After establishing a career in São Paulo's radio stations, she was invited by Silvia Autuori (known as 'Tia Chiquinha') to Rio de Janeiro, in November 1935, where she signed a successful contract with Radio Tupi' and her career took off. A year later, she would record her first album at 'RCA Victor Brasileira', including the hit songs "Cinqüenta por cento' (Lamartine Babo) and the samba "Você vai se arrepender" (Alberto Fadel, Germano Augusto and Kid Pepe). Upon meeting producer Alberto Quatrini Bianchi, she was invited to perform at his chain of casinos, scattered throughout the country. In 1938 she would perform at 'Radio El Mundo', Buenos Aires, Argentina, alongside the 'Regional de Benedito Lacerda', a Brazilian music orchestra led by Benedito Lacerda, who would compose 'Meu Buenos Aires querido' especially for her, and recorded by the group. The following year, she performed at 'Cassino Atlântico' with the 'South American Orchestra' led by her future husband, Ciro Rimac. In 1940, she left for the U.S., almost at the same time as Carmen Miranda, where she would work until 1949, performing alongside her husband. Between 1950 and 1953, she toured Spain and Portugal, performing at The Estoril Casino. She returned to Brazil in November 1953, being hired by 'Rádio Nacional', for the show 'Gente que Brilha'. In the following years, she performed occasionally on radio and television, and recorded some songs in the early 1960s. In 1964, she abandoned her artistic life and became a civil servant at the Brazilian Social Security Institute (INSS) in Rio de Janeiro. After retiring, she moved to Santos, where she would die just a day short of her 67th birthday.