Park Foundation Music App

Home > Artists

Alexandra (21)

Alexandra, whose name is Maria José Canhoto, was born on April 25, 1950, in the village of Soalheira, municipality of Fundão. Her Beira 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 opt for an 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 soon reflected in the numerous record editions, particularly in the 80s, which illustrate the singer's vast curriculum. From a popular talent, with numerous records released in the Portuguese market, Alexandra projects her popularity at a national level with the song "Zé Brasileiro, Portuguese de Braga" (Vasco Lima Couto/António Sala) which competes in the RTP Song Festival, in 1979. In 1982 he 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) he reached the 6th place of the aforementioned festival. He had a brief stint in the revue theater, making his debut in 1978 in the cast of "E Tudo S. Bento Levou" and in 1993 in the revue "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 joined 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 by 4 voices". It was in 1999 when Alexandra was invited by the director Filipe Lá Feria to join the musical "Amália", in the role of protagonist, with its premiere at the Cine Casino in Funchal, followed by the presentation at the Teatro Politeama in Lisbon. Alexandra's protagonism in this project will be one of her biggest challenges, and in an interview she will even say: "When I say that I was in awe of myself it was because I had never acted and suddenly I find myself doing that and in a character that is difficult, with a very unique personality and with a way of being, of talking, of gesticulating that is not normal, I play a character that's not the easiest." (Nova Gente Magazine, June 2001) For her commitment and dedication in the interpretation of the musical "Amália", Alexandra was distinguished with the Prestige Award of Casa da Imprensa and the Theater Award "O Patriota". In 2003 Alexandra received the Silver Medal of Municipal Merit from the city of Fundão, the year in which she starred in a new show "Alexandra Recorda Amália", under the production of C2E. Organized with a strong multimedia component, this show includes moments of ballet, projection of images and the interpretation of great classics by Amália Rodrigues. The success of this show resulted in the release of a double CD, released by CNM. At the same time, Alexandra was the hostess of the restaurant and fado house "Marquês da Sé", a space that dates back to the end of the XVIII century. XVIII located on the border of the neighborhoods of Sé and Alfama, in Lisbon. In the 2007 Grande Noite do Fado this unique space received the Fado House Award, awarded by Casa da Imprensa. In 2017, the "Marquês da Sé" closes its doors and Alexandra inaugurates, in 2019, the "Arcadas do Fado" in Almancil, Algarve.