MUSIC AND ITS HISTORY

MARIA BETHANIA

Maria Bethânia Viana Telles Veloso was born in Santo Amaro da Purificação, in Bahia state, on July 18th 1946. Her father used to work for the Correios e Telégrafos (the country’s mailing organization). Her mother, Claudionor Viana Telles Veloso, is respectfully known as Dona Canô in Brazil.

In 1960, Maria Bethânia and her brother Caetano Veloso moved to Salvador in order to finish their studies.

Her first presentation was in 1963 for the play Boca de Ouro, written by Nelson Rodrigues. She sang the opening song Na Cadência do Samba, by Ataulfo Alves.

That year Maria Bethânia met some other great Brazilian musicians, such as Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa and Tom Zé. Later the group produced a couple of acclaimed musicals, which they presented in many Salvador theaters.