Azorean singer-songwriter Aníbal Raposo closed the year 2024 with the release of the music video “Amor” from the album “Falas e Afectos.” Produced by Palco de Ilusões and directed by Tiago Rosas, Aníbal Raposo’s voice and guitar join Silvia Oliveira and Miguel Lima in a celebration of the poetry of João de Deus. In this interview, you talk about your plans for 2025 and promise a new album.

Correio dos Açores – You recently released the music video for “Amor.” How did this theme and the idea for the music video come about?
Aníbal Raposo (musician) – I wrote the music for this poem by João de Deus when I was 15. I’m now 70 and only recently recorded it on my latest album called “Luz do Tempo.”
Tiago Rosas heard the song and wanted to record it on video at Palco de Ilusões. I thank him for his interest and am equally grateful to everyone who helped with the recording.

You were honored at the Cordas World Festival. How do you feel about this recognition?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like my work being recognized. I’d like to thank Terry Costa and the whole festival team.

Your last album, “Luz do Tempo,” was released about 2/3 years ago. Will we see another project from you in 2025? If so, what can you tell us about it?
I’m recording a new album. We’re already eleven songs in. I don’t know when I’ll stop, but it will probably come out in 2025, as will the songbook with most of my songs, including the staves, chord sequences, and lyrics.
Between concerts and production, what is your assessment of this year? Tell us about your concert in Cape Verde.
This year has been full of concerts. I performed in São Miguel and Pico and in the cities of Mindelo and Praia in Cape Verde – on the islands of São Vicente and Santiago.
It is always with great joy that I return to Cape Verde, a land I have learned to love. I went there to sing my verses and those of Natália Correia, accompanied by Paulo Bettencourt on guitar and Romeu Presunça on percussion, at the invitation of the Portuguese Cultural Center. We were very well received.

What is your opinion of regional music today?
Our music is there and healthy, with quality composers and performers from the new generations. I think it lacks opportunities to appear on the national and international stage. We have a huge collection of compositions created over the last forty years that deserve more visibility. It’s time to value what’s ours.

What message would you like to leave for the new year?
May 2025 be a year of great health, inspiration, and opportunities for our artists and cultural agents.

José Henrique Andrade is a journalist for the newspaper Correio dos Açores-Natalino Vivieiros, director.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks the Luso-American Education Foundation for sponsoring FILAMENTOS.