Brazil/Culture: Brazilian Music “Choro” finally officially recognized
According to the information, by the end of February 2024, the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage had registered this instrumental genre as a cultural heritage of Brazil.
Created in Rio de Janeiro in the 19th century, choro is considered the first genre of typically Brazil urban popular music. Its survival today is attributed in part to choro circles, where amateur and professional musicians gather in the bars and clubs of Brazilian cities to play.
At Serginho’s Bar in the Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio, for example, musicians gather every Monday or Sunday for a jam session. The campus of UNIRIO University, near Sugarloaf Mountain, is another flagship location for choro.
Teachers offer weekly classes there on all the main instruments of choro. The « cavaquinho », for example, is very popular among students for its versatility and swing. The Portable Music School is at the forefront of choro education. Its director, Jayme Vignoli, emphasized the historical importance of choro.
With its recent official recognition, choro is poised to further flourish, continuing to enrich Brazil’s musical landscape and preserve a unique instrumental tradition.
