Ricardo Fernandes
?–2026Ricardo Fernandes was a Brazilian carnival director who led samba schools such as Unidos da Tijuca to multiple titles.
Particulars
Ricardo Fernandes began his carnival career at the Imperatriz Leopoldinense, where he participated as a component for about twenty years. In 1999 he was appointed Director General of Harmony, a role he held until 2002, overseeing the school's musical and choreographic coordination.
After leaving Imperatriz, Fernandes worked with several prominent Rio samba schools, including Unidos da Tijuca, Porto da Pedra, Vila Isabel and Salgueiro. At Unidos da Tijuca he was instrumental in the school's victories in 2010 and 2012, and his work was praised for achieving a "technically perfect" standard that set a benchmark for carnival productions.
His collaborations with renowned carnival artists such as Rosa Magalhães and Paulo Barros cemented his reputation as one of the most respected directors in the Rio de Janeiro carnival scene. Fernandes was widely regarded as a key figure behind many memorable parades that shaped recent carnival history.
Ricardo Fernandes died on 3 August 2026 in Rio de Janeiro. The cause of death was not disclosed at the time of reporting.
Compiled from source reports. Automated record.