| Birth Date: | August 19, 1898 |
| Death Date: | September 27, 1952 |
| Instruments: | vocals |
| Alias: | Rei da Voz |
| Origin: | Brazil |
Francisco de Morais Alves (August 19, 1898 - September 27, 1952), better known as Francisco Alves, Chico Alves or Chico Viola, was a Brazilian singer, one of the most popular in the first half of the 20th century, and considered by many to be the greatest in the country.[1] The quality of his work earned him in 1933, by broadcaster César Ladeira, the nickname "Rei da Voz" (Voice King).[2] He recorded more than 500 78 rpm albums,[3] among them the first electrical recording made in Brazil. He performed songs composed by musicians such as Cartola, Heitor dos Prazeres and Ismael Silva; and several songs became famous in his voice, like the first recording of samba "Aquarela do Brasil" by Ary Barroso.[4]
Alves died in a car accident at the Rodovia Presidente Dutra, near Pindamonhangaba, on September 27, 1952.[5]