Heitor Villa-Lobos

Composer

Birthday March 5, 1887

Birth Sign Pisces

Birthplace Brazil

DEATH DATE Nov 17, 1959 (72)

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About

Versatile Brazilian composer widely considered the foremost Latin American composer of his era. He is remembered for pieces like "Bachianas Brasileiras", where his European influences are on full display.

Before Fame

He underwent extremely little formal training as a young man and taught himself to play a variety of instruments, including cello.

Trivia

His last well-known composition was the music for the acclaimed 1959 film Green Mansions.

Family Life

He left his first wife at age 49 to be with Arminda Neves d'Almeida, with whom he would remain for the rest of his life.

Associated With

He rubbed shoulders with influential artists like English composer Leopold Stokowski during his 1923 trip to Paris, France.