A Voice, That Voice, At the Rio de Janeiro Airport

When I first landed at Galeão airport–now rechristened Tom Jobim International Airport–in Rio in 1990 in the first of many trips to Brazil, I was greeted by one of the most ethereal but seductive, sensual but distant, and utterly beguiling voices I have ever heard on a public address system. I wondered, “who is this woman?”.

Later I heard an NPR story on her. So I wasn’t the only one who noticed that voice. Her voice here has a smoker’s rasp:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=8976813&m=8976814

As it turns out, Iris Lettieri, the mystery announcer, has had a long career in radio and television. Her website give us some images of her life and work:

http://www.irislettieri.com.br/

In four years, thousands of international travellers will be flocking to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games……and most likely will be captivated just as I was. A voice like hers could only happen in that amazing country called Brazil.

I also have wondered why no record producers have sampled her unique voice on a cd. Maybe someday?