Biography
Manuel Escórcio is a Mozambique-born singer. His work in opera at the early stage of his career gained him prominence. Since 1992, he has been singing gospel music.
The tenor performs in three languages – English, Portuguese, and Afrikaans. He is best known for performing Afrikaans pop.
Manuel Escórcio  | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Full Name: | Manuel Maria Lamarque Escórcio |
| Born: | c. 1949-1950 (age 72-73 years) |
| Place of Birth: | Lourenço Marques, Mozambique |
| Education: | Theology diploma |
| Alma mater: | Helderberg College |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Children: | Marschant, late Chandre (d. 2008) |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Genre: | Afrikaans pop |
| Instrument: | Vocals |
| Website: | www.manuelescorcio.co.za |
Early Life
Manuel Escórcio is a South African tenor singer born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique. His late father was from Madeira in Portugal, and his Mother originates from Mauritius.
He started singing while in College at the age of 16. He first came to South Africa in 1966 as a teenager.
Education
Escórcio studied at Helderberg College in Somerset-West, South Africa, and holds a theology diploma. He attended the University of Stellenbosh and completed a baccalaureate in music in 1976.
After graduating from the University, he studied under mentors in England and South Africa. In 1982, he obtained a Master of Music degree from the University of Cape Town.
Other degrees include:
- M.Mus. in Music from the University of Cape Town
- Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in London
- UNISA Performer’s Licentiate in Music
- Fellowship van die Trinity College of Music in London
Career
Escórcio has performed in countries in and outside Africa. He held performances in the United States, South Africa, Venezuela, the Philippines, and Canada.
Manuel has also performed in Brazil, Portugal, and Australia. He has held over 4750 successful concerts all over locally and globally. He has traveled over 2 million km on South African roads and has recorded 47 different CDs.
At first, he wanted to pastor a church, but his love for music drew him from a goal. He has held many public musical performances since then.
Manuel is a principal resident tenor for the Cape Town City Opera. He was the lead tenor for over forty productions and filmed three operas for TV.
After a feeling of personal emptiness, the tenor singer began to sing gospel music. In 2010, he was a celebrity coach for two contestants in the Patricia Lewis reality competition TV series Supersterre.
Manuel managed the famous Men Gospel Quartet – MELODY 4. He is an accomplished judge of choirs and songs at art festivals in South Africa. He also presents Master’s Courses all over the world.
For four years, he was the Choir Director of the Hottentots Holland Choral Society, Somerset Wes.
2009 saw his appointment among the ten legends of the Afrikaanse music industry at Skouspel in Sun City. He is a founding director of the INNIBOS Laeveld Art Festival in Nelspruit.
He was the first South African artist to appear in two concerts at the Sun City Super Bowl with the Gerry Bosman orchestra in 1983.
Awards
Escórcio received the Order of Prince Henry Award in 1981. Other awards to his name include:
- Two Sarie awards
- An Artes award
- AKTV prize in the category Gospel music
- The Nederburg Opera prize
- SAUK en SAMRO awards
- 3 Albums achieved Golden Status
- 2 Albums with Platinum status
- And the exceptional honor of a Medallion and Comendador title from the Portuguese Government
Personal Life
Manuel Escórcio is a Christian and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Sadly, his son Chandre drowned on February 18, 2008, at Loggiesbaai near Llandudno Strand in the Cape. He has another son Marschant.
Illness
In 2003, News24 reported that the Afrikaans singer Manuel, who was involved in a motor accident, was in stable condition in a Bloemfontein hospital.
In April 2022, the Afrikaan media site Maroela Media reported that Manuel Escórcio underwent a medical test after being admitted to a hospital. The South African Legends Museum also confirmed the news.
Songs
- Feestyd Se Wysie
- Vissies
- The Holy City
- Me Without You
- You Raise Me Up
- Save Your Love
- One Day Jesus Will Call My Name
- Donkerbruin Oë
- Liefling
- Love Is a Beautiful Song
- Down from His Glory
- Praise Awaits You in Zion
- Take Me Where the Sun Is Shining
- Pearly Shells
- Blame It on the Bossanova
- One Day at a Time
- Stranger in Paradise
- Sproetjies
- Above All Powers
- Will You Love Jesus More
- I Have Returned
- Vrygesel
- La Paloma
- When I Sing Holy
- Thank You Lord for Always Loving Me
- Heaven-Bound Soldier
- The Power of His Love
- Behold the Man
- My Dad is the King
- Broken and Spilled Out
- I Want To Be Just Like You
- Any Dream Will Do