Raul Ferrão was a prominent Portuguese composer and military officer, born on October 25, 1890, in Lisbon, Portugal. He passed away on April 30, 1953, in Lisbon. Ferrão spent his childhood in Lisbon and Aveiro and attended Colégio Militar, where he learned to play the mandolin. Following in his father's footsteps, he pursued a military career, completing his education at the Army School in 1914 and participating in World War I in Angola. Later, he became a professor at the Army Pupils Institute.

Ferrão's musical career began in the 1920s, composing for theater and later for cinema. He was a co-founder and vice president of the Sociedade dos Escritores e Compositores Teatrais. His work in the theater included composing for operettas and revista theater, collaborating with notable figures such as Álvaro Leal and Angel Goméz. He became one of the most sought-after composers for these genres, contributing to over 120 well-known revistas.

In the realm of cinema, Ferrão composed music for several successful Portuguese films, including "A Canção de Lisboa" (1933) and "Capas Negras" (1947), which featured the globally celebrated song "Coimbra" (also known as "April in Portugal"), famously performed by Amália Rodrigues. His compositions were integral to the development and global recognition of the "fado-song" genre.

Despite his significant contributions to music, Ferrão received no formal accolades for his compositions, although he was recognized for his military service. His legacy endures through his music, which remains a vital part of Portuguese cultural heritage.