Núria Feliu i Mestres was, and always will be, the great lady of Sants. A singer and actor, she was a leading figure in the Nova Cançó and a pioneer in translating country and jazz songs into Catalan, accompanied by the pianist Tete Montoliu. As a child, she was already performing at the Sant Vicenç de Paül School in Hostafrancs, and later at the Quadre Escènic de l’Orfeó Canigó. She began her artistic career as a theatre actor until making her début as a singer in 1965. Over the course of her career, she recorded some 50 albums and published more than 400 songs. She popularised Catalan folk songs, boleros and cuplés, and brought jazz and country music to the public.
Her roots in the Sants neighbourhood ran deep throughout her life, so much so that she paid for a giant to be created in her own image.
In recognition of her long career she received a number of distinctions, such as the Creu de Sant Jordi in 1985.
She was a touchstone in the Nova Cançó and an actress who remained rooted in the Sants neighbourhood throughout her entire career. She popularised Catalan songs, boleros and cuplets and was a pioneer in importing country and jazz tunes into Catalan.