In the city of Caruaru, Pernambuco, on 14 May 1932, Clóvis Pereira dos Santos was born to Luiz Gonzaga Pereira dos Santos and Maria do Carmo Santos. From his father, a clarinettist in the musical group Nova Euterpe, he would inherit his aptitude for music.

On 2 March 1907, in Recife, Pernambuco, Esmeraldina da Rosa Borges was born. Her parents were Colonel Alfredo Bartholomeu da Rosa Borges and Mrs Josefina Sarmento Marinho. Esmeraldina attended Colégio Santa Margarida in Recife, and Colégio Sion in Rio de Janeiro.