Ela Calvo
Havana, September 8 (RHC)-- Cuban singer Ela Calvo died this past Tuesday, September 7th, as a result of pneumonia at the age of 89. The Cuban Music Institute lamented the news and sent condolences to her family and friends on behalf of the entire Cuban people.
Born on February 18, 1932, Ela Calvo began her professional career at the age of 20, as a member of Los Rivero Quartet --a musical group led by pianist and composer Facundo Rivero.
She began her career as a soloist in 1959, with regular presentations on Cuban radio and television, at the National Fine Arts Museum, as well as at Havana’s Saint John nightclub and the world-famous Tropicana Cabaret.
A renowned exponent of Cuba’s filing movement, her vast repertoire included also boleros, song, and ballads by renowned Cuban and foreign composers.
She traveled extensively around the world, particularly Latin America, Africa and Europe, sharing on stage with other celebrated Cuban artists like Pacho Alonso, Orquesta Aragón and Los Van Van.
An award-winning artist, in 1967 Ela Calvo won second prize at the Sopot International Song Festival, in Poland, and the Performance Award at the Man and the Sea Festival, in the then Soviet Union. She participated in events such as the Bratislava Lyra, Limassol in Cyprus, Boleros de Oro and Agustín Lara Festivals and the Song Festival in Dresden, Germany.
A National Culture Prize laureate, Ela Calvo was also a member of the National Association of Writers and Artists (UNEAC).
