Vera Morais is a Portuguese, Amsterdam-based vocalist, vocal artist, improviser, and composer who makes «liedjes en geluidjes» (songs and sounds). EUPNEA is Motrais’ led ensemble of three vocal artists – Morais, Latvian Līva Dumpa (who is also a pianist and composer) and Dutch Sarah van Eijk – and two flutists – Portuguese Teresa Costa and Latvian Ketija Ringa-Karahona- based in Morais’ hometown, Porto, and Amsterdam. The quintet is titled after the form of normal, good, unlabored breathing at rest, often called quiet breathing.
EUPNEA’s self-titled album was recorded in Amsterdam in June 2025. Morais’ seven compositions (including texts) for this chamber ensemble explore the resonant, ethereal timbres of breaths, vocal pitches, and air as a territory of invention and shared listening, as well as the possible intricacies of the five musicians’ sound production. In this quintet, the sonic processes reference the symbolism associated with the voice and the flute in the canons of Western music. Morais sees the ensemble as an instrument in itself: a human organ, in which the pipes (flute pipes and vocal tracts alike) breathe sonic synergy.
The album begins with the Meredith Monk-tinged «revolutionary ideation», cementing Morais’ idiosyncratic, polyphonic approach to vocal artistry and composition, as well as a most touching, compassionate perspective on life itself. Morais names vocal artists Yoko Ono, Sofia Jernberg, Elaine Mitchener, Sainkho Namtchylak, Jaap Blonk, and Almut Kühne as other inspirations, but pieces like the three parts of «organ music» and «breathing» suggest that she has an independent, mature voice – literally – of her own.
EUPNEA finds inspiration in contemporary and experimental vocal music, but sounds organic and fresh, always insisting on the immediate, emotional, often liberating impact of the human voice. «Atlantic» is Morais’ homage to her hometown, declaring that she, unlike her ancestors, does not wish to conquer new territories, but to offer poetic sounds and images. This beautiful album ends with the thought-provoking yet highly immersive piece, «mirror error», highlighting EUPNEA as an instrument in itself, a human pipe organ, breathing sonic interdependence, and Morais as a promising, creative force.
Eyal Hareuveni
Vera Morais (voice), Līva Dumpe (voice), Sarah van Eijk (voice), Teresa Costa (flute, piccolo), Ketija Ringa-Karahona (flute, alto flute, piccolo)
