“The Soundtrack of Saudade (At its core, saudade is a profound sense of longing or nostalgia for something or someone that is absent. But it’s much more than simply “missing.”) In an immigrant’s heart, saudade echoes loudly. It’s like a law that doesn’t obey time or space. Sometimes saudade lies dormant, almost unnoticed; other times it’s awakened by a memory, a word, or even a smell, like the unmistakable aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
And sometimes it makes itself present through sound. A song, a single note, the strum of a guitar, the gentle cadence of a voice—they can act like a master key. They instantly unlock a vault of memories we didn’t even know we had guarded so carefully. It’s time travel without the need for a passport or a time zone. And speaking of translating this feeling into musical notes, no one does it better than Lilly Abreu, an artist with a crystalline voice who has even lent her talents to Disney. For over 20 years, she has been enchanting Pittsburgh by singing Bossa Nova and teaching at Carnegie Mellon University. With a voice that is a true cultural treasure of Pittsburgh, she weaves, show after show, the emotional soundtrack of the Brazilian community in the Steel City.
(Keyla) Lilly, your voice is a piece of Brazil here in Pittsburgh. Tell us a bit about your journey: how did music come into your life, and what was your path to becoming a singer?
(Lilly) I discovered my passion for music as a teenager while singing in the choir at the First Baptist Church of Goiânia. There, I was mentored by a music director who taught me vocal technique and conducting. My father, a doctor and a lover of classical and gospel music, encouraged my studies at the Conservatory of Music, where I graduated with a degree in Voice. I began my career as a singer and teacher in Brazil, performing pioneering concerts and collaborating with renowned artists. In 1993, I moved to Pittsburgh, where I completed my master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University and solidified my career as an opera singer, educator, and founder of social projects. Beyond music, I work as a linguist and Interpretation Director at Global Wordsmiths, empowering bilingual professionals.
(Keyla) What does Bossa Nova represent for you?
(Lilly) In my opinion, Bossa Nova is much more than a musical genre—it’s the soundtrack of my saudade. It connects me to the cherished memories of Rio de Janeiro, where I used to live, and it arrived in Pittsburgh unexpectedly: through an invitation from a jazz pianist who asked me if I sang ‘The Girl from Ipanema.’ From that encounter, not only was a musical partnership born, but also the formation of my own band, dedicated to celebrating and perpetuating these stories of love, the sea, and Brazilian identity far from home.
(Keyla) Lilly, complete the sentence: ‘Being Brazilian in Pittsburgh is…
(Lilly) representing a country incredibly rich in its language and culture, whether by teaching Portuguese classes, promoting our music—both classical and popular—or welcoming family and friends into my home for a truly Brazilian tasting experience.
(Keyla) What flavor represents Brasil?
(Lilly) I would have to say “flavors” because it’s a country of many influences. Here are some fruits that transport me to Brazil: seriguela, sapoti, mango, soursop, pequi, cajá-manga, guava, jabuticaba…
(Keyla) Complete the sentence: Saudade is…
(Lilly) Missing something or someone you love.
