Travadinha

António Vicente Lopes (Known as "Travadinha")

Self-Taught Violin Virtuoso, Multi-Instrumentalist, Folkloric Master of Santo Antão

Born 1932-01-05

Ribeira da Cruz, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

Passed Away 1987-08-09 Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde

Lifespan 55 years old

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"The wood of the violin cries and laughs just as our hearts do when the ocean winds blow."

Archival Overview

Legendary self-taught violin virtuoso from Santo Antão whose lightning speed, improvisation, and recordings in Lisbon and Paris brought Cape Verde's traditional string folk music to international prestige.

Biographical Record

António Vicente Lopes, known by the moniker 'Travadinha', was born on January 5, 1932, in Ribeira da Cruz on the island of Santo Antão. Completely self-taught, Travadinha could play the violin, twelve-string guitar (viola), cavaquinho, and mandolin with astonishing natural genius.

In 1986, invited to Portugal and France to record the landmark album Le violon du Cap-Vert, Travadinha astonished European classical critics with his blistering, polyrhythmic execution of traditional mornas, coladeiras, and mazurkas. His home island of Santo Antão celebrates him as the undisputed violin virtuoso of Cape Verdean folk heritage.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Mindelo Municipal Cemetery
Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde

                         GPS: 16.8918, -24.9868                    

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