Monday, 10 October 2011 09:00
Rosita Fornés, the Diva of Cuba. Photo courtesy of tvcamaguey.co.cu
In art, it is difficult to find an exponent that requires everything necessary to be a "star." Only someone like Rosita Fornés, born in New York, 11 February, 1923, can achieve this challenge.
An artist of transcendence, with a career of more than 50 years, she is backed by the success of her entire expression, having earned an audience in many countries such as Russia, Germany, Hungary, Mongolia and so on.
She´s been credited as "Silk´s Venus," "Bride of Mexico," "The first star of Mexico, Spain and Cuba," epithets that have only been surpassed by, "The Star of America." Full of talent, natural grace and impressive physical beauty, she has proven her worth in all genres that she´s addressed, in music, acting, dance and hosting shows. Situated at the top of versatility, she had great teachers from the beginning, and at the Tropicana, she´s shared the stage with sacred giants like Nat King Cole. In theater, she´s acted right beside Libertad Lamarque, Benny Moré, Celia Cruz, Olga Guillot, Lola Flores and many others.
In her golden age, Mexican cinema opened their doors to her and gave her roles with top actors such as Manuel Medel, her first husband. Cuban cinema became prestigious with her performances, in films such as Se permuta (The Exchange) by Juan Carlos Tabío and Papeles secundarios (Secondary Roles) by Orlando Rojas.
It´s worth mentioning her very special friendship with the legendary Mexican actor, Mario Moreno, "Cantinflas," and others, no less authentic, such as Buster Keaton, Rita Hayworth, Nicolás Guillén (her most devoted admirer), René Portocarrero, Raquel Revuelta, Silvia Planas and Carilda Oliver Labra, who said in one of his aphorisms, "This rose is immortal."
Her work is infused with unforgettable moments within various Havana venues: La viuda alegre (The Merry Widow) at the Federico García Lorca theater, Hello Dolly at the Karl Marx, Confesiones en el Barrio Chino (Confessions in Chinatown) at the Cuban National Theater and the editions of Vedettísima, which has been transmitted all over the country. Also, internationally, she was recognized with an award granted by King Juan Carlos of Spain, distinguishing her as a worldwide important figure in culture.
Today, she continues to delight us, be it on television, the radio, film or theater, with all the elegance, good taste and glamour that characterizes her.
*This lady, who holds the National Theater Award, is one of the 10 most important cabaret stars of all time, next to Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth; and she is still admired and hailed as the "Diva of Cuba," or simply, "The Rose of all Cubans."
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