In Strangers' Arms

“Café de los Maestros” is the name of 2008 documentary that features golden era musicians and singers who are alive. I am lucky to be in Buenos Aires: Teatro Rex presents a show with all the participants in the documentary. The artists are in their 80s and 90s. The audience celebrates our genre -tango- and the artists who made it what it is today.

Leopoldo Federico walks with difficulty to his seat on stage. Once seated he plays with ageless passion and energy.

It was emotional for me to watch Virginia Luque, the petite woman tango singer and movie actress (featured in about 130 films). She gives us “La canción de Buenos Aires” and “El patio de la morocha.”

Fernando Suarez Paz, considered the major violin in Buenos Aires, is the youngest maestro tonight. Piazzolla composed and dedicated “Escualo” to him. He plays “Los Mareados.”

Juan Carlos Godoy, Alfredo De Angelis’ singer, gives us: “Anclao in Paris” and “La mariposa”.

The program closes with tangos and milongas we dance all over the world today: “Gricel,” “Adios pampa mia,” “Cafetín de Buenos Aires,” “Uno,” and “Taquito militar.” Mariano Mores (1918-) plays the piano and directs the orquesta.

Gabriel “Chula” Clausi (1911-) whose career goes back to Pedro Maffia, is the oldest of the bunch and the only one to receive a standing ovation at age 97.

The evening gets as nostalgic as tango music can get.

At the beginning and end of each performance the audience applauded and shouted with gusto. The spirit is as I imagine it was in the 40s. So were the size and sounds of the magnificent orquesta. I feel part of the soul of an era for just two hours. What a night!

Walking along Corrientes after the show fills me with nostalgia for I am picturing this avenue as it was in the 30s lined up with tango venue next to each other.

Tags: Music, Song