Vasco Mariz (1921-2017)

Brazil | Musicologist, diplomat

BIOGRAPHY

Vasco Mariz led a diverse career as a singer, musicologist, and diplomat. He studied composition, voice, and chamber music at the Conservatório Brasileiro de Música and law at the University of Brazil. After his graduation, he performed as a professional opera singer, making his debut in Le Nozze di Figaro in 1945. As a musicologist, Mariz focused extensively on Brazilian music in the 20th century, particularly the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos (one of his close friends), as well as Brazilian art song and experimental music. His work in musicology and as a diplomat have been highly influential in the transmission and understanding of Brazilian music and culture. In addition to his work in music, Mariz served as a Brazilian ambassador to Israel, Peru, Argentina, and Germany, and as a member of the Cultural Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His main role as a diplomat was to develop relations in the areas of history, folklore, art, and music, and he organized the first collection of music records for foreign distribution. After his diplomatic career, he served as the president of the Academia Brasileira de Música and participated in several arts initiatives and councils, including FUNARTE and the Federal Council of Culture.

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

Lists of publications by Vasco Mariz are made available through the following resources.

Oxford Music Online (Grove)
This resource is only available to authorized users at Indiana University-Bloomington.

Wikipedia

PROGRAM NOTES

As part of his work as a musicologist, Vasco Mariz often wrote program notes for concerts and recordings featuring Villa-Lobos and Brazilian music.

Media Collections Online

These resources are only available to authorized users at Indiana University-Bloomington.

Heitor Villa-Lobos, Bachianas brasileiras nos. 2, 3, 4. BIS, 2005.

Francisco Mignone, Fantasias brasileiras for piano and orchestra. White Pine Music, 2010.

VIDEORECORDINGS

 “Vasco Mariz (baixo cantante) canta Hekel Tavares, José Siqueira, Cláudio Santoro e Guerra-Peixe" 

Homenagem Centenário Vasco Mariz (Academia Brasileira de Música) (in Portuguese)

PERIODICALS

These resources are only available to authorized users at Indiana University-Bloomington.

Mariz's diplomatic pursuits, particularly as the Brazilian ambassador to Israel, have been sporadically documented in several periodicals.

Boston Globe

"Aide Pledges Brazil's Help in Visit here." Boston Globe, Aug 17, 1961. (ProQuest Historical Newspapers)

"Dayan Says Israel can make N-Arms." Boston Globe, Jun 25, 1981.  (ProQuest Historical Newspapers)

The Jewish Exponent

"Elsewhere... in the News", The Jewish Exponent, Jul 10, 1981. (ProQuest Historical Newspapers)