Modinha

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A modinha is a kind of sentimental love song. The modinha is of uncertain origin, but it may have evolved in either Brazil or Portugal. In 1739, Domingos Caldas Barbosa wrote a series of modinhas that were extremely popular, especially in salons, and so can be termed salon music. The modinha of the late 19th century was sung in the streets or as an outdoor serenade, usually accompanied by flute, guitar, and cavaquinho.

The earliest known literary reference to "Brazilian modinha", most likely in reference to Barbosa's music, was made by Portuguese satirical poet Nicolau Tolentino de Almeida in 1779. One of his characters in a farce from 1786—A rabugem das velhas [The old women's rage]— also mentions "this new modinha that's been invented now", which sends her grandmother into a rage, eulogizing the past.^[1]