Maestro Antonio Remo Usai died yesterday (9) at the age of 93, in Rio de Janeiro. Pioneer composer in the production of soundtracks for Brazilian cinema, he signed dozens of feature films between the 1950s and 1980s, including renowned films such as Assault on the Paid Trainr (1962) and Red Mandacaru (1961).
Among his most notable works is The Claudia Case (1979), which won the award for best soundtrack at the 1979 Brazilian Film Festival. The more than 60 films he worked on also include titles by Trapalhões, documentaries and animation The adventures of Monica’s Gang (1982).
His contribution to national cinema was recognized with an honorary trophy at the tenth edition of the Grande Prêmio do Cinema Brasileiro, of the Academia Brasileira de Cinema. Remo Usai was also an academic Honoris Causa of the Brazilian Academy of Fine Arts.
The death was reported without further details by the maestro’s family on social media. On her Instagram profile, her granddaughter and also composer Claudia Usai posted a photo in honor of her grandfather and said goodbye: “Grandpa, you were the man. I will miss you so much…”
Usai was born in Rio de Janeiro, on May 13, 1928. The wake takes place today in Chapel 5 of the Penitência Cemetery, between 12:30 pm and 3 pm, in the state capital.
