Wednesday, 03 August 2011 16:39
Argelia Fragoso
The younger ones don't know her, only in hearsay, and the rest of Cubans remember her, but hardly knew of her, as she lived off the island for 16 years, and has not sang on a national stage since 2003. But this great among the greats, Argelia Fragoso, came back to perform for her compatriots.
During those years away, Argelia lived and worked in Spain, a land that welcomed her as a daughter, and where she has continued her musical work. Also, as a teacher, she has penetrated Spain, imparting singing, vocal technique, orchestration and piano at top centers in Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, Tenerife and Cataluña, as well as Munich.
More than my praise, I would like to refer you to the opinions of outstanding figures in the world of music, such as the composer Mario Ruiz Armengol, who believes that "Argelia Fragoso is the most complete artist" he's known. And also, the great composer and singer Armando Manzanero said to her, "Argelia, your voice is the best gift that a friend has given me in recent years."
Praised by the prestigious American newspaper, The New York Times, who categorized her as "The golden voice that came from Cuba," this woman has had solid musical studies —in addition to her exceptional natural conditions— from Cuban and foreign institutes. She also benefited from the influences of César Portillo de la Luz, Luis Carbonell and Rafael Lay, among others.
I am one of those who thinks that much of her success, not just among us, but also within the diverse international scene, is because of her strong bond with Cuba's most native popular music, in which she confessed in a recent interview that, "This is what binds you to the center of your land." She recently had a concert at the Fine Arts Museum's theater hall that was truly a culture success in Havana, where we enjoyed her so much that we knew as much about her as we didn't.
There she showed the public not only her performance mastery and attachment to our roots, but also the affection and respect we profess, which was beautifully reciprocated. We listened to pieces from her latest album, which included anthological songs that we surely sang in past decades, once more chanting them again.
Argelia's next performances are in different Cuban provinces, and she will also hold a new concert in Havana at the end of 2011. Colibrí Productions will make a DVD of these Havana concerts, and said that this Golden Voice's last two albums, unique and genuine, could be in the Cuban market before this date, to the delight of all who appreciate and value the great singers of Cuba.
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