Vicente Celestino

Vicente Celestino was a Brazilian singer who became known during radio's golden age. His 1929 recording of "O Ébrio," a tango about an alcoholic's despair, connected with listeners through its emotional delivery. Some critics at the time questioned whether the song glorified drunkenness, but it remained his most famous work.

He recorded other songs like "Mia Gioconda" and "Casinha da Colina," often working with musicians like Pixinguinha and Jacob do Bandolim. His performances had a direct, unadorned quality that felt personal rather than polished.

Celestino was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1894 and grew up in modest circumstances. He kept recording through the 1930s with songs such as "Porta Aberta" and "Coração Materno," maintaining that plainspoken vocal style that made "O Ébrio" stand out years earlier.