RIP Guto Graca Mello

 

Guto Graça Mello dies, at the age of 78; remember the openings of soap operas created by the producer

Music producer was the mind behind the hits of Som Livre and Globo soap operas

Correio

By Ana Beatriz Sousa

May 5, 2026

 

Guto Graça Mello, the man who achieved the feat of transforming the soundtracks of soap operas into true objects of desire and sales phenomena, passed away this Tuesday (5), at the age of 78. Guto had been hospitalized for just over a month at the Barra D'Or Hospital and was the victim of a cardiorespiratory arrest.

Son of a lineage of artists, his parents were the actors Stella and Octávio Graça Mello, Guto breathed art. He even flirted with architecture, but music spoke louder. Over five decades, he not only produced more than 500 albums, but also shaped the 'ear' of the Brazilian.

Can you imagine Gabriela without the voice of Dorival Caymmi or the classic 'Alegre Menina'? It was Guto who had the vision to commission these works. And what about Capital Sin? Legend has it that he put together the soap opera's repertoire in just three days and convinced Paulinho da Viola to compose the anthem 'Dinheiro na mão é vendaval' in a few hours.

Guto had the gift of aligning the music perfectly with the drama of the screen. He didn't just select songs; He created sound 'trends' that made the public rush to record stores the next day.

At the head of Som Livre, Guto Graça Mello was a strategist. He used the power of TV Globo to leverage artists who are now pillars of MPB. From Rita Lee and Maria Bethânia to names that were just starting out, such as Cazuza and Lulu Santos, almost everyone who shines on the radio went through Guto's sieve and production. He was even the one who produced Xuxa's first album, which became one of the biggest sales successes in the country's history.

Even after leaving Globo and Som Livre in the late 80s, Guto never stopped. He continued to create jingles, film scores (there are more than 30 films in his curriculum) and produce albums with the perfectionism that was his trademark.

Guto Graça Mello is survived by his wife, actress Sylvia Massari, two daughters and two stepchildren.

MELLO, Guto Graça (Augusto César Graça Mello)

Born: 4/29/1948, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Died: 5/5/2026, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

Guto Graca Mello’s western – composer:

O Cangaceiro Trapalhão – 1983