# A Brazilian samba star says goodbye: ‘I’ve fought a lot, but I also think we need to live’

Neguinho da Beija-Flor, 75, is the most recognisable voice in Rio de Janeiro’s elite carnival league and has led 50 consecutive parades for the same school.

On Monday night, as 100,000 people gather in the stands and VIP boxes of the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome to watch the second night of parades at Rio de Janeiro’s world-famous carnival, a voice that has resonated for half a century will be heard there for the last time.

It will be the final performance by Neguinho da Beija-Flor, 75, one of the country’s most famous samba singers, who is retiring after leading 50 consecutive parades for the Beija-Flor – or Hummingbird – school.

At an event that brings together thousands of members from 12 samba schools, he is the most recognisable voice in Rio’s elite carnival league, which operates like a championship, with a winner crowned each year.

“I can’t wait to retire. After this Monday’s parade, _c’est fini_,” said Neguinho, with his constant smile and impeccably groomed afro – not a single grey strand in sight – just before heading into the studio for his final rehearsal.

He announced his retirement in November, a decision that surprised Rio’s samba world, which follows the carnival parade with the same passion that other Brazilians have for football.

The reason for his retirement? Exhaustion. “Being a samba-school singer requires the stamina of a marathon runner,” he said.



Neguinho says that he has never received a salary from the school, explaining that his livelihood comes from his work as a “mid-year” _sambista_, as artists with work outside carnival are called.

He has also written a string of non-carnival  and plans to continue his career through a new album and upcoming shows.

Despite his calm attitude toward his retirement decision, the singer  three weeks ago during the final rehearsal at Sapucaí.

For this Monday, however, he has a plan.

“I’ve been talking to my therapist, and she suggested that I bring a banner that says: ‘Thank you very much.’ She told me to just open the banner and say nothing. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sing,” he said.

“So that’s what I’ll do. I’ll show the banner and sing. After the parade, a car will be waiting for me – and I’ll leave.”

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