Fantcha

A protege of the great Cape Verdean vocalist Cesaria Evora, Fantcha was born Francelina Durao Almerida and ranks among Cape Verde’s most successful young torch singers. Recorded in Portugal, her 1998 album Criolina became an international hit.

From an early age Fantcha revealed strong musical aptitude, shaped in part by two brothers who performed on guitar and cavaquinhos. At ten she joined the Flores De Mindela Carnival company, where music director Ti Goy (Gregorio Gonclaves) took her under his wing and provided formal lessons. In early 1969, during a celebration for the Dover football team, she met Cesaria Evora; the introduction led to regular visits to the Evora household, where Fantcha absorbed the veteran singer’s command of phrasing and emotional delivery.

Evora herself prompted Fantcha’s first public performance by urging her to sing at Chico Serra’s Piano Bar. The enthusiastic audience response solidified Fantcha’s resolve to pursue music professionally. After a 1988 recording session in Paris, she joined Evora on a United States tour, became captivated by the country, and chose to remain, settling in New York. She initially maintained a white-collar position while singing in New York clubs on weekends, yet soon transitioned to full-time performing. Her discography also includes the albums Criolinha (1997) and Viva Mindelo (2001).