Cesaria Evora - Reina da Morna (2026)

Cesária Évora’s posthumous album “Reina da Morna” will be released on 2 October 2026, marking 15 years since the death of Cape Verde’s “barefoot diva”, who would have turned 85 this year. It contains ten studio recordings that never made it onto her lifetime albums: from 1996 onward, every session with her producer José (Djô) da Silva produced one or two songs more than needed. Each record was built around 12 tracks, and the balance between mornas and coladeiras forced some material aside. Some songs were also held back for foreign markets, above all Japan. These recordings sat for years in the Lusafrica archive. When da Silva transferred the company to Sony Music, the label went through the vaults, concluded the leftovers could make a coherent album, and the anniversary suggested the timing.

The repertoire draws on the classics of Cape Verdean song: Manuel d’Novas, B. Leza, Nando da Cruz, Calu Monteiro, Betu. For the first time, a morna by Eugénio Tavares that Évora recorded also appears on her records. The title was chosen by the label and, in the producer’s view, is meant to be understood by listeners worldwide.

Promotion will rely on interviews in France, social media and concerts by the Cesária Évora Orquestra, which will add the new songs to its programme next year. Da Silva calls the singer a myth that must be kept alive and promises further books, films, exhibitions and shows. Évora died on 17 December 2011, aged 70, in her native Mindelo on the island of São Vicente.

Tracklist:
1. Cesaria Evora - Amiga D'nh Amigo
2. Cesaria Evora - Sonsente
3. Cesaria Evora - E Nos Cabo Verde
4. Cesaria Evora - Resposta De Ganha Pouco
5. Cesaria Evora - Junior
6. Cesaria Evora - Brisa D'bo Sorriso
7. Cesaria Evora - Nos Contradança
8. Cesaria Evora - Força Di Cretcheu
9. Cesaria Evora - Projecto
10. Cesaria Evora - No Po Na Ton