After the traditional investigation on Ash Wednesday, which marks the decision of the official title of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival it is common for samba schools to start thinking about next year.
The following day, groups such as Mangueira First Station It is Nilópolis Hummingbird for example, initiated the cast changes for 2025.
Below, the CNN brought together the changes in Rio's elite schools to date.
Nilópolis Hummingbird
On social media, Beija-Flor, which finished in 8th place, with 268.5 points, announced the departure of Dudu Azevedo, director of Carnival. The partnership began in 2020 and ended in 2024.
The person who also left the school was Valber Frutuoso, director of Harmony – an item in which the group received two out of 10 marks, one 9.9 and the other 9.8, discarded in the end.
Salgueiro Academics
4th place, the red and white said goodbye to carnival artist Edson Pereira, responsible for signing the current “Hutukara” plot, in honor of the Yanomami people.
In addition to him, choreographer of the front committee Patrick Carvalho ended his cycle at the school after three years of partnership.
Grande Rio Academics
Taking advantage of the moment, Grande Rio, from Caxias, has already started renewing its team for next year.
At the school, the carnival duo Gabriel Haddad and Leonardo Bora will be present, the Carnival director Thiago Monteiro, the choreographer duo Hélio Bejani and Beth Bejani, Daniel and Taciana, the master of the room and flag bearer couple, the interpreter Evandro Malandro, drum master Fafá, the harmony committee team and, last but not least, Paolla Oliveira, drum queen.
Empress Leopoldinense
After finishing runner-up, Imperatriz Leopoldinense announced the departure of choreographer Marcel Misailidis.
On social media, the school stated that the decision was taken by mutual agreement. “The conclusion that comes amidst the expressive results of recent years and the respect between the parties, was reached due to the artist's new personal motivations, which led to this decision”, they guaranteed.
Meanwhile, carnival artist Leandro Vieira and the couple of master of the room and flag bearers were renewed for another year alongside the association.
Independent Youth of Father Miguel
After two carnivals, the person who said goodbye to Mocidade was carnival artist Marcus Ferreira, paving the way for the arrival of Renato Lage and Márcia Lage, who returned to the association.
“With extreme happiness I wish us luck so that we can relive our great moments of glory,” they wrote on social media.
Unidos da Tijuca
After reaching the penultimate place in the general classification, the first loss in the Unidos da Tijuca team was announced with the departure of Sérgio Lobato, choreographer of the front committee, who received four 9.8 grades.
Portela
In the blue and white of Madureira, the advertisements are also in full swing.
There, Júnior Schall was renewed on the carnival committee. The artist performed at Samba majesty in 2018 and 2019, returning to the group in 2023.
In addition to him, carnival players André Rodrigues and Antônio Gonzaga are guaranteed another year at school.
Mangueira First Station
One of the first schools to change the squad for 2025 was Mangueira. Shortly after the results of the investigation, the school announced the departure of carnival workers Guilherme Estevão and Annik Salmon.
Meanwhile, Matheus Oliverio and Cintya Santos, who lead the first green and pink pavilion of the association, Lucas Maciel and Karina Dias, choreographers of the front committee, Rodrigo Explosão and Taranta Neto, drum masters, Celeste Lima, choreographer, also took the opportunity to renovate of the couple and, finally, Vitor Art and Digão do Cavaco, who took over the musical direction.
Tuiuti Paradise
Closing the list of changes, Paraíso do Tuiuti, ended the partnership with Luiz Carlos Amâncio and Jeferson Carlos in the general direction of Harmonia, while renewing the contracts of Mestre Marcão for the fourth consecutive season, Claudia Mota and Edi Franco, choreographers of the front commission and Jack Vasconcelos, carnival worker.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
