Alfredo Português, born Alfredo Lourenço in 1885 in Lisbon, Portugal, was a notable composer and singer of Brazilian popular music. Initially a sailor in the Portuguese merchant navy, he relocated to Brazil under the employment of the Brazilian mercantile marine, settling in the vibrant community of Mangueira in Rio de Janeiro. In Lisbon, he was known as a fadista in the Alfama neighborhood before embracing the samba culture in Brazil.

In 1936, Alfredo adopted Nelson Matos, who would later gain fame as Nelson Sargento, as his godson. Together, they actively participated in the samba scene, particularly with the Unidos da Mangueira samba school. By 1947, Alfredo was invited by Carlos Cachaça to join the Composers' Wing of the Estação Primeira de Mangueira, one of Rio's most prestigious samba schools. His collaborations with Nelson Sargento and other composers like Moçoró and Cartola led to the creation of several celebrated sambas de enredo, including the award-winning "Apologia aos Mestres" and "Plano SALTE - Saúde, Lavoura, Transporte e Educação."

Alfredo's compositions extended beyond carnival sambas, contributing to the rich tapestry of Brazilian music with pieces like "Aspectos do Rio" and "Samba do Operário." His work was recognized and recorded by notable artists, including Jamelão and João Nogueira. Alfredo Português passed away on September 10, 1957, in Rio de Janeiro, leaving behind a legacy deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of Brazilian samba.