Benjamin Barreto da Silva Araújo: the rescue of his vocal work, cataloging, interpretive analysis and preparation for publication of his songs

Abstract

Through this project we intend to survey, organize, analyze for performance and edit (for future publication) the vocal repertoire of Benjamin Barreto da Silva Araújo (Rio de Janeiro, 1902-1982), Brazilian pianist, conductor, professor and composer. He played an important role in the Brazilian classical and popular music scenario, sharing the company of several of the major writers of the modernist trends. Many of his songs were set to these poets' works. Between the '30s and '60s Benjamim Araújo also played an important part in the production of Brazilian popular music, as conductor of radio and television; many of his popular songs were recorded by exponential singers of that period. At the moment, all his personal documents and scores are put away in boxes, in care of his ex-student Paulo Azevedo, in São José dos Campos (neighboring city to São Paulo), where he lived the last years of his life