Ala dos Namorados is a Portuguese band created in 1993. Its duet "Solta-se o Beijo" with Sara Tavares reached platinum.

Band members

Nuno Guerreiro

From the inception until 2025, the band's lead vocalist was (1972–2025). Possessing a

countertenor A countertenor (also contra tenor) is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of the female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice types, generally extending from around G3 to D5 or E5, although a sopranist (a ...

vocal register - quite unique in the Portuguese pop panorama at the time of his rise to fame - he distinguished himself in

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

and rhythm & blues sounds. Nuno Guerreiro was born in Loulé, in the Portuguese southern region of

Algarve The Algarve (, , ) is the southernmost NUTS statistical regions of Portugal, NUTS II region of continental Portugal. It has an area of with 467,495 permanent inhabitants and incorporates 16 municipalities (concelho, ''concelhos'' or ''município ...

, on 5 September 1972. He was raised in Loulé until moving

Lisbon Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...

at the age of 16 to attend the Conservatory Dance School. During the following years, he cultivated the art of dance, until fate made him cross paths with the guitarist Carlos Paredes. In 1992, Nuno Guerreiro attended a rehearsal of a Paredes' show at Teatro São Luiz (Lisbon), during which he began to sing, catching the guitarist's attention, who soon invited him to sing in his show. Possessing a voice with a unique register in the Portuguese musical panorama, he joined the formation of Ala dos Namorados as lead vocalist at the invitation of musicians Manuel Paulo and João Gil (formerly a member of Trovante). In order to cultivate his countertenor voice, Guerreiro attended singing lessons with Maria Cristina Castro, one of the best Portuguese soprano singers. Outside of Ala dos Namorados, Nuno Guerreiro recorded, in 1999, the album ''Carta de Amor'', released by

EMI Japan , formerly , was one of Japan's leading music companies. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of British music company EMI, EMI Group Ltd. on June 30, 2007, after Toshiba sold off its previous 45% stake. Its Chief executive officer, CEO and presi ...

. Recorded with the Japanese conductor and producer Akira Senju, this record is composed of classics of Anglo-American popular song, such as "When The Saints Go Marchin In", "

Amazing Grace "Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn written in 1772 and published in 1779 by English Anglican clergyman and poet John Newton (1725–1807). It is possibly the most sung and most recorded hymn in the world, and especially popular in the Unit ...

" and "

Greensleeves "Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song. A broadside ballad by the name "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves" was registered by Richard Jones at the London Stationers' Company in September 1580,Frank Kidson, ''English F ...

". Carta de Amor also includes an interpretation of "Perdidamente", a poem by Florbela Espanca, put to music by João Gil for a great Trovante hit. At the Lisbon World Exposition in 1998, he performed in a show in which he recreated Amália Rodrigues,

Peter Gabriel Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched a solo career wit ...

Cole Porter Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became Standard (music), standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway the ...

, and

Marlene Dietrich Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however, Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...

. The singer's second solo album, ''Tento Saber'', was released in 2002. The title was changed in the Japanese version to "Give me Peace". The record is very intimate and was presented live, in acoustic format, all over the country. Nuno Guerreiro was openly gay and was a victim of

domestic violence Domestic violence is violence that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes r ...

in a past romantic relationship. Guerreiro died in Lisbon on 17 April 2025.

Albums

*1994 - ''Ala dos Namorados'' *1995 - ''Por Minha Dama'' *1996 - ''Alma'' *1999 - ''Solta-se o Beijo'' (reached Platinum) *2000 - ''Cristal'' (reached Gold) *2004 - ''Ao Vivo no S. Luíz'' (DVD) *2007 - ''Mentiroso Normal''

References

External links

Facebook
* Portuguese pop music groups {{Europe-band-stub