Cesaria Evora Underwent Open Heart Surgery, Cancels All 2010 Performances

Africa's Cape Verde singer, Cesaria Evora, had open heart surgery on Monday, May 10, 2010 in Paris hospital. The surgery was in response to a coronary problem that occurred this past weekend. The operating surgeon reported that things went as well as possible. Cesaria is suspending all activities until the end of the year, including her June 2010 concerts in Washington, DC, New York City, Boston, Toronto, and Montreal.

This week's surgery follows a by Cesaria following a stroke in April 2008. Summer 2010 was meant to mark a return to North American stages. Three months after the stroke, she was ready to start rehearsing and working on her new album, Nha Sentimento (Lusafrica). Music critics noticed that Cesaria's voice had changed on the new album, yet she retained the essence of who she is.

Nha Sentimento explores the Middle Eastern and Arab influences of Cape Verdean music and culture, territory rarely explored before. The album features collaborator and admirer Fathy Salama, a former conductor of the Cairo Orchestra known for his work with Youssou N'Dour, and who arranged three mornas on Cesaria's new album. Nha Sentimento will be re-released shortly featuring a bonus track of "Moda Bo," Cesaria's duet with Cape Verde's up-and-coming singer and starlet, Lura, considered by some to be Cesaria's heir apparent. The duet's live debut was to take place during the June North American tour, for which Lura was set to be the opening act.