In 1927, she debuted in the popular theatre, performing in a "magazine" (vaudeville) show called Roses from Portugal in the Cineteatro Éden.

Freire was invited to Paris to record Paramount Pictures films in Portuguese, including Cradle Song and The Laughing Lady.

She returned to Paris in 1934, together with dancers Francis Graça and Ruth Walden, for a show to promote popular Portuguese songs and dances.

On the strength of this, she was auditioned by the Casino de Paris, one of the city's major music halls, and performed with one of France's biggest stars, Maurice Chevalier.

[1][2][5] Back in Portugal in June 1936, after she and Colaço had experienced financial problems in Paris, Freire had trouble in achieving the same success as before.

Her singing students included a relative, António Calvário, Marco Paulo and Tonicha, who all became popular Portuguese singers.