Neuma Goncalves da Silva; Samba’s ‘First Lady’

Neuma Goncalves da Silva, 78, known as Brazil’s first lady of samba. Goncalves was the eldest daughter of Saturnino Goncalves, who founded the traditional Mangueira samba school in Brazil’s Mangueira shantytown in 1928. Co-founders of the school, essentially a neighborhood association, were the legendary composers Cartola and Carlos Cachaca. Neuma Goncalves grew up learning samba, performing and eventually serving as one of the rare female directors of the school. She became something of an elder stateswoman for Mangueira as a member of the Velha Guarda, or Old Guard, made up of the oldest and most prestigious members of the school. Known by her courtesy title Dona Neuma, she made her home a meeting place for composers and was consulted on various issues involving samba. On Monday in Rio de Janeiro of a stroke.