Cecéu talks about the first year without Antônio Barros Reproduction / TV Cabo Branco A year after the death of Antônio Barros, singer and songwriter Mary Maciel Ribeiro, known in Brazil as Cecéu, spoke about grief, longing and the daily effort of moving forward without the companion who was by her side for more than five decades. The interview was shown on Dedinho de Prosa, on TV Cabo Branco. ✅ Click here to follow the g1 PB channel on WhatsApp Born in Campina Grande, Cecéu built a partnership with Antônio Barros that spanned his personal life and music. Together, they composed more than 700 songs over 54 years of partnership. Works such as "Bate Coração", "Procurando Tu", "Homem com H" and "Amor com Café" became references of Brazilian forró, recorded by names such as Elba Ramalho, Luiz Gonzaga and Alcione. In 2021, the duo's work was recognized as Intangible Heritage of Paraíba. Now on g1 When talking about the absence of her husband, who died on April 6, 2025, at the age of 95, Cecéu described the impact of losing someone with whom she shared her daily life and creative process. "It was very difficult, because 54 years in art and in life is a lot. We had a great complicity. When he looked at me and I looked at him, we already knew more or less what we wanted. So, when that happened, I suffered a huge blow, I even thought I wouldn't get up again. But life asks us to carry on", he stated. Cecéu and Antônio Barros Reproduction / TV Cabo Branco A childhood guided by music During the conversation, Cecéu returned to his childhood and recalled that music was always present, even before any career plan. "When I was a child, I loved music. Me, my cousins, what we liked most about playing was inventing a stage. Everyone dressed in cellophane and stuff and so on and I was a singer. And when I was eight years old, I went to school, in Campina Grande, singing Antônio's music", he said. These memories, according to her, help explain why music continues to be a support during the period of mourning. When talking about the meeting that became a life together, Cecéu explained that he met Antônio Barros through his sister, who was his neighbor and a seamstress. Antônio had returned from Rio de Janeiro to spend time in Campina Grande, after facing personal difficulties. A simple invitation marked the beginning of the relationship. "As the story unfolded, he said to me, 'I did a program in Rio de Janeiro, singing a song, but it won't be here until that day, I wanted to see this program at your house, can I watch it?' Beginning of compositions and great performers Antônio Barros and Ceceu, honored by 'São João Pra Valer' Rafael Passos/Secom-JP The musical partnership gained strength when the duo met Elba Ramalho in a club during São João. On that occasion, the three sang together and, at the time of parting, Antônio asked the singer to record one of their songs. She accepted and chose "Bate Coração", which became one of the biggest hits in northeastern music. “When she was about to leave, Antônio said, ‘Elba, record one of our songs, okay?’. Then she said sure. That’s when I sent her ‘Bate Coração’”, he said. Over the years, Cecéu recalled that the duo accumulated recordings with an extensive list of artists: Alcione, MPB 4, Ney Matogrosso, Trio Nordestino, Três do Nordeste, Marinês, Luiz Gonzaga and Ivete Sangalo, among others. "Guys, I'm sorry, because there were so many. It's not even possible to memorize everything here, right? Such a vast list. When they are interpreters of our work, we say: they are our children", he said. Between memories and pauses, Cecéu made it clear that moving forward, according to her, has been a daily exercise, made up of memory, music and continuity. Most watched videos from g1 Paraíba