Berta Alves de Sousa

Full biography Berta Alves de Sousa

Berta Alves de Sousa was a Portuguese composer born on January 6, 1923, in the city of Porto. She was one of the most important composers in Portugal during the 20th century, known for her unique style that combined elements of modernism and traditional Portuguese music.

Sousa began her musical studies at a young age, studying under various teachers in Porto, including Cláudia de Campos and Vladimir Sagatov. She later continued her studies in Paris, where she studied with Nadia Boulanger, a prominent music teacher of the time.

Sousa's music was notable for its use of traditional Portuguese instruments such as the guitar, fado, and the accordion, which she blended with modern elements to create a distinctive sound. Her compositions were often inspired by Portuguese folk music and incorporated themes from Portuguese literature and history.

One of Sousa's most famous works is the opera "A Menina Gotinha de Água," which was based on a children's book by the same name written by Papiniano Carlos. The opera was a huge success, both in Portugal and internationally, and was performed across Europe and Latin America.

Throughout her career, Sousa received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to Portuguese music, including the National Prize of Music in 1961 and the Medal of Cultural Merit in 1988. She continued to write music until her death on July 16, 2002, at the age of 79.

Overall, Berta Alves de Sousa was a pioneering composer whose unique style and dedication to blending traditional Portuguese music with modern elements helped to establish Portuguese classical music on the world stage.