Geni e o Zepelim
Geni e o Zepelim (Geni and the Zeppelin) is a Brazilian song, composed and sung by Chico Buarque.[1] The song takes place in the musical play Ópera do Malandro, by the same author, and was introduced in 1978, later featured in the 1979 album, and in the 1986 movie, all with the same name.
The lyrics describe, in hepta-sylabic rhymed and metrical verses, the long story of Genival, a transvestite who was often physically persecuted in his town. During the threat of an attack by a zeppelin, the ship's pilot is petrified with the charm of "Geni" (pronounced Janee), who acquires temporary VIP treatment. The day after, he/she returns to the normal daily routine and is attacked by people with rocks.
The song has become famous in that the refrain throw rocks at Geni is commonly referenced in situations when people are victims of moral lynching.[2]
The show
The text, based on the Beggar's Opera of John Gay (in 1918) and the Three Penny Opera, of Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill (in 1928), takes place in a brothel and paints a picture about Brazilian underground gangsters, and was played as a musical show.[3]
Inspiration
Some sources lead to the thesis that the character Geni would be inspired from the homonym one from the play Toda Nudez Será Castigada, of Nelson Rodrigues, introduced in 1965.[4][5]
Meaning
Various sources indicate that the song has a criticism to colonialism (or imperialism) and to capitalism, thus the character is a representation of the oppressed person or group.[6]
- "Geni symbolizes the silence, submission and the non-voice, according to the system that prevents her talking. Nevertheless, her other subject talks through the voice of the author, that turn her into a heroine, knocking down her inquisitors' values".[7]
In the passage in which the lyrics reveal that Geni refuses to sleep with so noble a man, smelling of brightness and copper, there is a clear criticism to capitalism, the theme of the opera.[8]
Singers
They sing Geni e o Zepelim (Chico Buarque too):
- Letícia Sabatella
- Cida Moreira
- Maria Eugênia
- Elba Ramalho
- Célia Rabelo
See also
References
- ↑ "Geni e o Zepelim". Letras Terra. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ↑ Oliveira, Mário Oscar Chaves (30 March 2011). "Joga Pedra na Geni". Migalhas. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ↑ "O que é a Ópera do Malandro". Rede de Letras. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ↑ "Toda Nudez Será Castigada". Crítica em Cena. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ↑ Santos, Fernanda Marques (1 June 2007). "O Lar e As Ruas: A Dicotomia das Personagens Femininas na Dramaturgia de Nelson Rodrigues". Centro Universitário Feevale. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ↑ Wiel, Franciscus Willem Antonius Maria Van de. "Trabalho e Malandragem como Repressão e Transgressão nas Canções da Ópera do Malandro de Chico Buarque". PUC-SP. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
- ↑ Kogawa, João Marcos Mateus (2006-01-01). "Geni no Entremeio de Uma Arena de Vozes". Revista Urutágua. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ↑ "Joga pedra na Geni!". Jorwiki. Retrieved 1 de December de 2011. Check date values in:
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