Formiga

Formiga works as a composer, arranger, and orchestrator on expansive projects that span both popular and classical traditions. Despite the limited national reach of regional genres such as frevo and maracatu, his contributions to these styles have secured a recognized place in Brazilian culture. Between 1965 and 1968, and again in 1971 and 1978, he took top honors in the maracatu division of the annual competitions organized by Recife’s mayoralty. He served as conductor of the Banda Municipal do Recife from 1970 through 1977. In 1971 a major newspaper’s competition awarded him first place for the frevo de rua titled “Alô, Recife.” Marking the 150th anniversary of Diário de Pernambuco, he unveiled his “Grande Abertura Diário de Pernambuco,” scored for symphonic orchestra, military band, and choir. He founded the Orquestra Popular do Recife in 1976 and assumed its podium. His pieces “Águia de Ouro,” “Formiga Está de Volta,” “Tonico Está de Volta,” and “Andréa no Frevo” earned victories at the Frevança (National Meeting of Frevo and Maracatu) in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1989, respectively. That same year he oversaw production of the internationally distributed album Carnaval do Nordeste nO 2. The release Sua Excelência o Frevo de Rua appeared in 1996.