Composer, arranger, and orchestrator of large resources, Formiga dedicates himself both to popular and classical music. His work in the genres of frevo and maracatu, in spite of a lack of national popularity for these kinds of regional productions, has its importance confirmed within Brazilian culture. Formiga won the 1965-1968, 1971, and 1978 annual contests promoted by Recife's mayoralty in the maracatu category. From 1970 to 1977, he was the conductor of the Banda Municipal do Recife. In 1971, he won a contest promoted by a major newspaper with the frevo de rua "Alô, Recife...