Well-known Goan singers -- Alex & Michael Lopes, popularly known as Lopes Brothers, will once again delight Konkani audience soon.
The renowned brothers who were based in Kuwait for a number of years had left the country a short time ago. While Alex left Kuwait with his family for good, the younger brother Michael found greener pastures in London and lives with his family there.
Well, the brothers will be seen together back on stage in Seby de Divar latest drama ‘He Amche Kaide’ set to be staged in Goa.
Lopes Brothers, with their unmatched, synchronized voices and a typical 'tiatr' style second to none, were known in Kuwait as one of the best duo singers on stage. Perhaps they are the only brothers shining on Konkani stage after the legendary Kuwait-based Mendes Brothers.
The two brothers featured in almost every drama held in Kuwait and were well applauded for their stage presence, their songs, and the message they conveyed in their renditions.
Alex and Michael also featured in a number VCDs released from Kuwait. It was Maestro Shahu Almeida who gave them the first break in his VCD ‘Tiatrist’ released in 2012; Lopes Brothers sang a heart-wrenching song in the VCD on late Rosary Ferns.
Most of the Lopes Brothers songs are composed by their brother-in-law Nazareth Rodrigues, popularly known in tiatr circles as Nazy Rod – a renowned playwright and composer.
LOPES BROTHERS – EARLY YEARS
In Kuwait, Lopes Bros were first spotted in Salu Faleiro drama ‘Arxeant Hanslo Arxeant Rodlo’ staged on 21st April 2006 at the Hawally Auditorium.
Earlier, Alex Lopes sang solos in Konkani shows (before invasion – precisely between 1982 to 1984). He sang 2 solos in tiatr ‘Dadlo’ in which legendary Goan artiste late Rex de Bardez also acted (in a villain’s role) for a drama directed by Rosary Ferns.
Alex also sang another 2 solos in ‘Kuwaitchi Okol’, a drama of late Tony Bros; the celebrated Mendes Bros were at their peak those days.
Further, Alex and Michael featured in almost every drama whenever professional directors came from Goa to stage their dramas in Kuwait.
RISE TO FAME
Lopes Brothers rose to instant fame when they sang a song in Milagres de Chandor’s drama ‘Mothers Day’ staged at the Kuwait Medical Association Hall, Jabriya. The particular song was based on Indian social activist Anna Hazare who led movements to promote rural development, increase government transparency, and punish corruption in public life.
The song is still recalled by many as one of the top hits of the Lopes Brothers.
Soon after, in the same hall, Lopes Bros presented Konkani tiatr ‘GHONVDHO’ written and directed by Nazy Rod in the year 2012. While the Lopes brothers stole the limelight in the show singing 2 dazzling duo’s, the drama itself was a huge hit which prompted Nazy Rod to repeat the show again in the year 2016 in a unique screen-stage form. Incidentally offers to stage the drama in Qatar and London are still on hold.
In November 2011, Lopes Brothers sang the opening chorus duo in Mario Menezes drama ‘Xirlo’ based on late Rosary Ferns stage.
LOPES BROTHERS TRIVIA
• One of the Lopes Brothers (Michael) was a topmost event decorator in Kuwait doing a number of the events beside his job.
• Before invasion, Alex Lopes played bass guitar for ‘Next of Kin’ band during the time of distinguished crooners late Tony and late Jack Santan who worked for Commercial Bank of Kuwait that time.
• Lopes Bros were last seen together in Fidelis Fernandes drama in Kuwait called ‘Sath Panvde’ in which they rendered two solid duo’s.
• Alex’ last song on Kuwait stage was in Kuwait Konknni Mogi (KKM) musical show directed by Shri Domnic Fernandes held on 9th Sept 2016 at the Salmiya SIMS auditorium.