Rachmaninoff had a particular singer in mind when he
composed his Vocalise, but it was before recordings.

Villa-Lobos is another matter; he came later,
he had a world-famous Brazilian soprano in mind,
and he conducted the first studio recording of his
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 "Cantilena,"
(the first of two movements in this piece).

Bidu Sayao sings the soprano part,
and the solo cello is played by Leonard Rose.

Bachianas "Cantilena" (1945)