Zola Amaro

Zola Amaro (born Risoleta de la Mazza Simões Lopes; 26 January 1891 – 14 May 1944) was an early Brazilian operatic soprano. She made her debut in on 4 September 1919 in the title role of Aida at the Thetro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro, receiving high critical acclaim. She was the first South American to perform at Milan's La Scala where she appeared under the baton of Arturo Toscanini in 1924. Amoro is considered to have been one of Brazil's most outstanding performers, both at home and abroad.

Biography Born in Pelotas on 26 January 1891, Risoleta de la Mazza Simões Lopes was the daughter of Evaristo Simões Lopes and his wife Francisca Jerónima de la Maza. She married Antonio Amaro da Silveira with whom she had three children.