Alfredo Gama left over 250 compositions, some of which remain unpublished. Graduating from the law school of the Recife College in 1889, he became a county judge in upstate Pernambuco. In February 1897 he founded the Instituto Aires Gama, striving for modern pedagogic methods. As a composer, Gama had an incessant activity, and his songs were famous in Recife, many with lyrics by he himself, others by Armando de Oliveira. His first composition was the polca "Ave do Paraíso," and the last, the valse "Cala-te, Coração." Gama used to interpret his compositions at the piano, and also wrote comedies and musical plays, having written especially for Alda Garrido. Among his famous waltzes, some of which were incorporated in the romantic repertory, many endured the test of time: "Valsa dos que Sofrem," "Valsa dos que Ficam," "Valsa da Saudade," "Tempos Saudosos," and "Como é bom Sonhar." Some of them were recorded by Mário de Azevedo in the Sinter LP Tempos Saudosos. ~ Alvaro Neder, All Music Guide