Elba Ramalho
The Queen of Forró live at Kaufleuten Zurich
When Brazil celebrates the São João festival, the whole country sings her songs. “De Volta pro Aconchego”, “Banho de Cheiro”, “Bate Coração” and “Eu Só Quero um Xodó” are classics that connect generations. The voice behind them: Elba Ramalho, the “Queen of Forró”.
Born in 1951 in Conceição in the state of Paraíba, Elba came to Rio de Janeiro in the mid-1970s and became the voice that made the music of the Northeast known throughout Brazil – in the tradition of Luiz Gonzaga. Her very first album, “Ave de Prata” (1979), included a song by Chico Buarque; later she worked with legends such as Luiz Gonzaga, Jackson do Pandeiro and Dominguinhos. With Alceu Valença, Geraldo Azevedo and Zé Ramalho, she celebrated one of the greatest successes in Brazilian music as “O Grande Encontro”.
Elba has sold more than six million records and won two Latin Grammys and 16 Prêmio da Música Brasileira awards. On stage she blends forró, baião, xote and ciranda with MPB – full of energy and with a voice that tells stories and awakens longing for the sertão.
Kaufleuten and Adalu bring the big names of Brazilian music to Zurich together. With Elba Ramalho, a true icon comes to Kaufleuten's intimate Klubsaal – a night to sing along and dance. Tip: with the seated package, you enjoy a 2-course menu at Restaurant Kaufleuten beforehand and have a reserved premium seat on the balcony.
Programme
6 pm: Restaurant Kaufleuten opens (dinner with seated package)
7 pm: Doors and box office open
8 pm: Elba Ramalho concert
approx. 10 pm: End
Tickets
Standing: CHF 55
Standing, reduced (students, KulturLegi, IV): CHF 45
Balcony seat: CHF 75
Seated package with 2-course menu at Restaurant Kaufleuten: CHF 125
Key facts
When: Tuesday, April 27, 2027, 8 pm (doors 7 pm)
Where: Kaufleuten, Klubsaal, Pelikanplatz, 8001 Zurich
Tickets: from CHF 45, no fees at Kaufleuten
Who it's for: fans of forró and MPB, the Brazilian community in Switzerland and anyone who wants to experience the music of Brazil's Northeast live
Organisers: Kaufleuten Kultur and Restaurant Kaufleuten in collaboration with Adalu
Elba Ramalho (BR)
Elba Maria Nunes Ramalho was born in 1951 in Conceição in the state of Paraíba and grew up in Campina Grande. She took her first steps as the drummer of the all-female band “As Brasas”, before coming to Rio de Janeiro in 1974 with Quinteto Violado – and staying. In 1979 her debut album “Ave de Prata” was released, already featuring a song by Chico Buarque. Since then Elba has released more than 30 albums and sold over six million records. As heir to Luiz Gonzaga and companion of Jackson do Pandeiro and Dominguinhos, she became the most important ambassador of the rhythms of Brazil's Northeast: forró, baião, xote and ciranda. With Alceu Valença, Geraldo Azevedo and Zé Ramalho she formed the legendary project “O Grande Encontro”. Winner of two Latin Grammys and 16 Prêmio da Música Brasileira awards, Elba Ramalho has been on the great stages of Brazil and the world for more than four decades – and is also known as an actress, for example in Ruy Guerra's musical film “Ópera do Malandro”.
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