Bibi Ferreira | |
|---|---|
 Ferreira in 1968 | |
| Born | Abigail Izquierdo Ferreira (1922-06-01)1 June 1922 |
| Died | 13 February 2019(2019-02-13) (aged 96) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1941–2018 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Abigail Izquierdo Ferreira (1 June 1922 – 13 February 2019), known asBibi Ferreira, was a Brazilian actress, singer, and director. In a career spanning more than 75 years, Ferreira directed and performed in numerous theatrical productions and was recognized as one of the greatdivas ofBrazilian music.[1][2]
Ferreira was born inRio de Janeiro, the daughter of stage actor Procópio Ferreira and Spanish dancer Aida Izquierdo, born inBuenos Aires.[3] Her paternal grandparents came fromMadeira Island,Portugal; her maternal grandparents, Antonio Izquierdo and Irma Queirola, were fromSpain. She learned dance atTeatro Municipal inRio de Janeiro.[4]
Her father invited his daughter to join his company. She made her stage debut performingLa Locandiera atTeatro Serrador in Rio de Janeiro, on 28 February 1941. She formed her own company three years later.[5] During this period, she began hosting several talk and variety television shows, giving new artists and playwrights the opportunity to present their work.[3]
In 1962, she was cast in the Brazilian production ofMy Fair Lady, which set a Brazilian record for its2+1⁄2-year run. She then played leads inHello Dolly andMan of La Mancha. In the 1970s, she began directing her own productions. Ferreira began performing in a musical aboutÉdith Piaf in 1983, and toured the show through Europe.[5]
Ferreira was a prominent figure in the Brazilian entertainment industry. Her protégé, singerMaria Bethânia, said of Ferreira, "Everything she does has helped Brazil with its identity."[3] TheFrench Government awarded her theOrdre des Arts et des Lettres in 1985.[5] In 2016, Ferreira appeared in "Bibi Times Four", a one-woman show atSymphony Space inNew York City.[3]
In 1968, Ferreira married Paulo Pontes, a playwright. In 1970, she performed inGota D'Agua, a play Pontes wrote.[5] Pontes died in 1976.[6] Ferreira died inRio de Janeiro on February 13, 2019, from acardiac arrest.[7]
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