Alexandra

Alexandra, born Maria José Canhoto, was born on April 25, 1950, in the village of Soalheira, in the municipality of Fundão. Her roots determine the potential of her voice, which, however, and under the influence of her experience in Mozambique, where she spent her childhood, led her to choose artistic life.

Alexandra quickly became one of the most cherished names by the public and in 1978 she debuted with the release of the single “Senhora Maria”, followed by professionalization a year later. Her success is quickly reflected in the countless record editions, namely in the 80's, which illustrate the singer's vast curriculum.

With a popular talent, with countless records released in the Portuguese market, Alexandra projects her popularity at national level with the song “Zé Brasileiro, Português de Braga” (Vasco Lima Couto / António Sala) that competes at the Festival da Canção RTP, in 1979. In 1982 it reached the 3rd place in the same festival with the theme “Até ao Amanhecer” (Pedro Brito / Tózé Brito), followed in 1983 the 5th place with the theme “Rosa, Flor Mulher” (Fernando Correia Martins) and in 1985 with “Cantar Saudade” (Odete M. Oliveira / Álvaro Lúcio) reaches the 6th place of the referred festival.

He had a brief stint in the magazine theater, debuting in 1978 in the cast of “E Tudo S. Bento Levou” and in 1993 in the play “A Pão e a Laranjas”, both presented at Teatro Maria Vitória. In 1991 he returned to television to participate in the program “Regresso ao Passado”, where he explored the first interpretations of fado.

At the end of the 90s, Alexandra is part of the project “Entre Vozes”, alongside Alice Pires, Lenita Gentil and Maria da Fé, “I have also participated in the first CD edited with fado themes sang by four voices.” It was 1999 when Alexandra was invited by director Filipe La Feria to be part of the musical “Amália”, on the leading role, which premiered at Cine Casino do Funchal, followed by the presentation at Teatro Politeama in Lisbon. 

Alexandra's role in this project will be one of her biggest challenges, and in an interview she will even say: “When I say that I was amazed with myself it was because I had never acted and suddenly I see myself doing that and in a character that is difficult, with a very own personality and with a way of being, of speaking, of gesturing that is not normal, I played a character that is not the easiest. ” (Nova Gente, June 2001)

For her commitment and dedication to the interpretation of the musical “Amália”, Alexandra was distinguished with the Prestige Award from the Casa da Imprensa and the Theater Award “O Patriota”.

In 2003 Alexandra received from the city of Fundão the Silver Medal of Municipal Merit, the year in which she stars in a new show “Alexandra Recorda Amália”, under the production of C2E. Organized with a strong multimedia component, this show includes moments of ballet, image projection and the interpretation of great classics by Amália Rodrigues. The success of this show results in the edition of a double CD, edited by CNM.

At the same time, Alexandra was the host of the restaurant and fado house “Marquês da Sé”, a space dating back to the late 18th century located by the Sé and Alfama neighborhoods in Lisbon. At the Grande Noite do Fado 2007, this unique space received the “Casa de Fados Prize”, awarded by Casa da Imprensa. In 2017, "Marquês da Sé" closes its doors and Alexandra opens, in 2019, "Arcadas do Fado" in Almancil, Algarve.

Source:

Catálogo do musical “Amália”, de Filipe La Féria em representação no Teatro Politeama (2000)

http://www.marquesdase.com/