On May 16, 2025, Maria Lúcia Godoy died at the age of 100.

Born in Mesquita, Brazil, on Sept. 2, 1924, Godoy graduated in Literature from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) and then went on to study music with Honorina Prates and Pasquale Gambardella.

The soprano went on to win several competitions and became the main soloist of the Madrigal Renascentista where she met her future husband, conductor maestro Isaac Karabtchevsky.

Throughout her career, Godoy was recognized as a chamber singer and symphonic soloist and went on to become one of Brazil’s great singers. The celebrated soprano Bidu Sayão considered Godoy “her only successor,”

Godoy was also well known on the operatic stage for performing roles by Mascagni, Puccini, Mozart, Gounod, and Rossini.

However, it was with Villa-Lobos that she made her name. She was considered the greatest interpreter of the composer and recorded the 14 Serestas, Bachianas No. 5, several songs, and the Suite for Voice and Guitar. Her recording of Bachianas brasileiras nº 5 remains one of the most famous.

Throughout her career, the soprano received numerous awards, including the Grand Cross of Inconfidência, the Medal of Honor from UFMG and the Doctor Honoris Causa from UFMG.