Acalanto da Rosa (Claudio Santoro)

Acalanto da Rosa (Cláudio Santoro 1919-1989), set to a text by (Marcus) Vinícius de Moraes (1913-1980)

Santoro is a rather mysterious figure whose music is not as well known as it deserves to be. He is mainly known as a gifted violinist and founder of the Brazilian Philharmonic. He studied in Europe and garnered many prizes and awards. Educator, performer, writer, organiser, lecturer in piano, violin and eventually composition in Heidelberg, Germany – Santoro’s life’s work is vast and varied. His music – from what little I have heard – falls in two main groups: quite severe classical works such as String Quartets and Symphonies (some of it quite academic), and music of a more popular vein. Such a gem, is Acalanto da Rosa. Santoro was born in the Brazilian province Amazonas, and was sent to study in Rio de Janeiro, where he met the poet Moraes, who provided texts to many of Santoro’s works.

Marcus Vinicius da Cruz e Mello Moraes (October 19, 1913 – July 9, 1980), also known as Vinícius de Moraes and nicknamed O Poetinha (the little poet), was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a seminal figure in contemporary Brazilian music. As a poet, he wrote lyrics for a great number of songs that became all-time classics. He was also a composer of bossa nova, a playwright, a diplomat and, as an interpreter of his own songs, he left several important albums.

Acalanto da Rosa (Portuguese text by Vinícius de Moraes)

Dorme a estrela do céu
Dorme a rosa em seu jardim
Dorme a lua no mar
Dorme o amor dentro de mim
É preciso pisar leve
Ai, é preciso não falar

Meu amor se adormece
Quão suave é o seu perfume
Dorme em paz rosa pura

Lullaby of the Rose (English translation of text by Vinícius de Moraes)

A star sleeps in the sky,
The rose sleeps in its garden
The moon rests in the sea,
Love sleeps inside of me.
You must tread softly,
Ah, you must not speak.

My love is slumbering,
How sweet is her perfume,
Sleep in peace, pure rose,
Your slumber has no end.

Read a full biography of the composer Claudio Santoro HERE.

Listen to soprano Rosana Lamosa interpret this little gem: