Aurora Miranda da Cunha Richaid (20 April 1915 – 22 December 2005) was a Brazilian singer and actress. She began her career at the age of 18 in 1933. Miranda appeared in several films, including ''

The Three Caballeros ''The Three Caballeros'' is a 1944 American live-action/animated musical anthology film produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film premiered in Mexico City on December 21, 1944. It was released in the United States on ...

'', where she danced with Donald Duck and José Carioca, singing the song, " Os Quindins de Yayá". Her sisters were

Carmen Miranda Carmen Miranda, (; born Maria do Carmo Miranda da Cunha, 9 February 1909 – 5 August 1955) was a Portuguese-born Brazilian samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star who was active from the late 1920s onwards. Nicknamed "The Br ...

and Cecilia Miranda.

Career

Aurora Miranda had a successful career in Brazil and the US, perhaps overshadowed by that of her sister,

. Aurora was six years younger than her sister and equally talented and vivacious. Aurora Miranda Tres Caballeros

In 1932, aged 18, she was asked to perform on the Mayrink Veiga radio station by Josué de Barros, the same composer who had launched her sister's career 10 years earlier. Soon she was snapped up by a rival station and within 12 months she had released her first record, ''Cai, Cai, Balão'' ("Drop, Drop Balloon") alongside the crooner then considered Brazil's ''rei da voz'' or "king of the voice", Francisco Alves. Alves was known for supporting up-and-coming artists and there was none more promising than Aurora, who many still believe had a more beautiful voice than Carmen. Years later, she appeared in the documentaries ''

Once Upon a Mouse ''Once Upon a Mouse'' is a 1981 American theatrical featurette directed by Jerry Kramer and Gary Rocklen of Kramer/Rocklen Studios, produced in association with Walt Disney Productions. It was released on July 10, 1981 on a double bill with ''The F ...

'' and '' Carmen Miranda: Bananas is My Business''. Miranda died at the age of 90 on 22 December 2005.

Personal life

In 1940 she married Gabriel Richaid clad in a gold-embroidered wedding dress shipped from the US by Carmen. Unlike her sister, Aurora preferred married life to her career. In 1951 she returned to Rio and settled down as wife and mother. She often spoke of her sister Carmen and appeared in many documentaries.

Legacy

Aurora Miranda carved out her own niche, first as a pioneering singer and later as one of the first human beings to interact with cartoons in a sound movie. She appeared in the

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney (; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film p ...

production ''

'', a mix of cinema and animation in which Aurora starred alongside Donald Duck. But perhaps her greatest legacy was the first recording of Rio de Janeiro's unofficial anthem, ''

Cidade Maravilhosa "Cidade maravilhosa" (, ''Marvelous City'') is a march that was written and composed by André Filho and arranged by Silva Sobreira for the Rio de Janeiro carnival in 1935. It has since become the anthem for the city of Rio de Janeiro. In the sam ...

'' (Marvellous City), in 1934. Tom Philips wrote in ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' that Aurora Miranda "personified the spirit of Rio."

Filmography

References

External links