The composer, who was admitted to the Special Care Unit at Baptista de Sousa Hospital approximately one week ago, died at 5 o’clock this morning as a result of complications arising from the stroke he suffered three years ago in Portugal. The composer’s wake is being held at his home, in Mindelo’s Monte Sossego district, at the request of his family.
Manuel d’Novas, who was born on the island of Santo Antão, was known for his critical stance in relation to Mindelo society, of which he became a part after “adopting” the island of São Vicente as his own. Manuel d’Novas was also one of the most talented lyricists of his generation, with his poetic art able to be appreciated in compositions such as “Apocalipse,” “Cmé Catchorr,” “Cumpade Ciznone,” “Dona Ana,” “Ess País,” “Morte d’um Tchuk,” “Nôs Raça,” “Psú Nhondenga,” “Stranger é um ilusão,” “Tudo tem se limite” and “Lamento d’um emigrante.”
“They tell me he is a native of Santo Antão. Even so, he is above all a man of Mindelo, not in the sense of being a “product,” but rather in these sense of being someone who was “revealed” by the city of Mindelo, in the sense that, without any particular effort or study, he learned and interiorized the lifestyle of this playful, satirical, mundane and festive people, which he then gives back in the form of musical compositions in which irony, humor and easy-goingness, particular trademarks of Mindelo, are the most important presences and components,” wrote Germano Almeida in the preface to the book Manuel d’Novas – Vida, Música e Cabo-verdianidade, by sociologist César Augusto Monteiro.
Manuel d’Novas was born on the island of Santo Antão on February 24, 1938. Baptized Manuel Jesus Lopes, he was considered one of Cape Verde’s most important troubadours, and is one of Cesária Évora’s favorite composers.
His funeral is scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm today, in the city of Mindelo.
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