Brazilian music icon Zé Renato takes the Teatro Ipanema stage in March for four samba nights with Teresa Cristina, Nei Lopes, Francis Hime and more.
Best known internationally for his years with the acclaimed vocal group Boca Livre and for his warm, distinctive voice, Zé Renato has long been one of Brazil’s most committed samba interpreters and composers. At least eight of his 24 albums are fully dedicated to the genre — a body of work he now brings to the stage in the season “Samba e amor” (Samba and Love).
The four shows take place on March 3, 10, 17 and 24, at 8 PM, as part of the Terças no Ipanema project at the iconic Teatro Ipanema Rubens Corrêa, in Rio de Janeiro’s Ipanema neighborhood. The season also marks the artist’s 70th birthday and his 50-year career milestone.
The repertoire
“I’ll build a core set list from the samba albums I’ve recorded,” Zé Renato explains. Expect classic Brazilian standards such as “Feitio de oração” (Noel Rosa), “Samba do grande amor” (Chico Buarque) and “Sofrer” (Paulinho da Viola), alongside originals like “Pra você gostar de mim”, co-written with Joyce Moreno.
He also plans to debut songs he has never recorded: works by Nelson Cavaquinho and Dorival Caymmi, and the beloved “Siri recheado e o cacete” by João Bosco and Aldir Blanc. The season title is drawn from “Viva meu samba”, a Billy Blanco classic he recorded in tribute to Silvio Caldas.
Backing him on all four nights are two pillars of contemporary samba: guitarist Carlinhos 7 Cordas and multi-percussionist Paulino Dias.
Special guests each Tuesday
Opening night, March 3, features longtime collaborator Nei Lopes. Together they’ll perform “Pandeiro,” “Cândidas Neves,” and Nei’s classic “Senhora Liberdade”, co-written with Wilson Moreira.
On March 10, songwriting partners Pedro Luís and Paulinho Moska join the stage. Highlights include the samba de roda “Cabô” — title track of Zé’s landmark 2000 album — and the samba-choro “Cama da ilusão”.
March 17 brings three guests at once. Teresa Cristina shares the mic for sambas they composed together, including the exquisite “Pra cobrir a solidão” and “Delicada”. Guitarist Cláudio Jorge, winner of the 2024 Grammy for best samba album, and percussionist Marcelinho Moreira, a fixture since the “Cabô” sessions, also perform.
The most beautiful voice in service of “brilliant artists, popular art,” as he sings in “Pandeiro.”
The closing night, March 24, virtually recreates the album “A alegria continua” with singer Mariana de Moraes, composer-singer Vidal Assis — who just released an album dedicated to Elton Medeiros — and celebrated maestro and composer Francis Hime.
Event details
Zé Renato — “Samba e amor”
Dates: March 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2026
Guests: 3/03: Nei Lopes | 10/03: Pedro Luís and Paulinho Moska | 17/03: Teresa Cristina, Cláudio Jorge and Marcelinho Moreira | 24/03: Mariana de Moraes, Vidal Assis and Francis Hime
Time: 8 PM
Venue: Teatro Ipanema Rubens Corrêa — R. Prudente de Morais, 824, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
Tickets: BRL 80.00 (full price) / BRL 40.00 (half price)
Age rating: General admission (all ages)
Tickets: https://bileto.sympla.com.br/event/116051
Production: Planetário Produções Culturais | Administration: Da Lapa Produções Artísticas | Presented by: KAB | Support: Secretaria de Cultura do Rio de Janeiro
Photo: Alexander Landau
