Carlos Gardel
ColombiaBiography of Carlos Gardel
Carlos Gardel, an Argentine singer and film actor, was a renowned performer of tango in the Latin American world. He was born on December 11, 1890, a date which is celebrated as International Tango Day. There are different versions regarding his birthplace: according to one, he was born in Toulouse, France, while others claim he was born in Tacuarembó, Uruguay - the local football team's fans hang a flag with the inscription "Tacuarembó is Gardel" during matches.
When he was two years old, his mother, Berta Gardel, emigrated to Argentina. Carlos began singing from a young age and was already well-known in Buenos Aires during his youth for his performances of folk songs. However, true fame came to him when Gardel started singing tango. In 1917, he recorded his first tango song, "Mi noche triste," composed by Samuel Castriota. From that moment, both the tango song genre and Gardel himself became very popular.
Following "Mi noche triste," Gardel recorded other tangos that would later become famous, including "La Cumparsita" by Rodriguez (which Gardel interpreted as "Si supieras...") and, of course, the iconic "Mi Buenos Aires Querido." In 1930, he began appearing in films. He starred in approximately 10 movies, starting with the silent film "Flower of Peach" and later transitioning into sound films where his songs were featured.
Carlos Gardel tragically died in an airplane crash over Colombia on June 24, 1935. In 1935, the song "Por Una Cabeza" was written for a Hollywood film in which he played a horse racing player. The title translates to "By a head (horse's)." It can also be interpreted as "Losing one's head," comparing the loss of one's head from love for a woman to the thrill of horse racing. In the film "Scent of a Woman," Al Pacino dances the tango with Gabrielle Anwar to the melody of "Por Una Cabeza." These three minutes are one of the most memorable moments in the film, and they rehearsed for two months.
