Gal Costa, legendary Brazilian singer, died at 77

CNN
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Brazilian singer Gal Costa, one of the most influential artists of the Brazilian Tropicalia movement of the 1960s, died on Wednesday. She was 77 years old.

His death was confirmed by his press team at CNN affiliate CNN Brasil. Gal Costa’s official Instagram account also posted a short statement on Wednesday morning along with a black and white photo of the singer.

“It is with deep sadness and broken hearts that we inform you of the death of singer Gal Costa this Wednesday morning November 9 in São Paulo. Details of his revival and funeral will be shared at a later date. We appreciate everyone’s kind thoughts during this very difficult time.

The cause of death has not been confirmed by his press team, according to CNN Brasil. The singer had been recovering from nasal surgery for the past three weeks, according to a press release, CNN Brasil reported.

Costa was scheduled to perform at the Primavera Sound festival in Sao Paulo last weekend but was canceled, CNN Brasil reported.

News of his death sparked an outpouring of condolences online. “Gal Costa was one of the greatest singers in the world and one of our main artists who brought the name and sounds of Brazil to the entire planet,” Brazil’s President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrote on Twitter. .

“His talent, his technique and his audacity have enriched and renewed our culture and have had an impact on the lives of millions of Brazilians.”

Lula also shared a photo of himself hugging Costa and smiling.

Costa was born in the city of Salvador, in the state of Bahia, on September 26, 1945, and is considered one of the most distinctive voices of the Brazilian Tropicalia movement, alongside singers Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. The soprano has been a major influence among young singers and in 2011 received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Costa’s death has brought an outpouring of mourning and condolences to the music world’s family, including longtime collaborator and friend Gil, who said he was “very sad and affected” by Costa’s death. on his official Twitter account. He also called her his “sister”.