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Ramon IriarteVenezuelan opera singer (baritone) originally from France
Date of Birth: 25.07.1930
Country:  Venezuela |
Content:
Biography of Ramon Iriarte
Ramon Iriarte was a Venezuelan opera singer (baritone) originally from France. He was born on July 25, 1930, in Paris, France. His father, Segundo Iriarte, was Venezuelan, and his mother, Felisa Estivalez, was Spanish. Due to the outbreak of World War II and the difficult political situation in France, the life of children, including the Iriarte family, was very challenging. The constant wailing sirens had a severe impact on Ramon's younger brother, who developed a mental illness. To escape the hardships of war, Ramon, at the age of nine, emigrated to Venezuela with his parents and brother.
Early Career
A few years later, Iriarte began taking singing lessons from Carmen Teresa Machado and later from Irene Eberstein. It is also known that Primo Casale and Madame Nina de Iwanek selected the musical repertoire for Iriarte. His career began in 1957 at the renowned Venezuelan opera school, La Escuela Nacional de Opera. There, he obtained roles in operas such as "Rigoletto" and "Un ballo in maschera" and many others. Two years later, he had a significant breakthrough when he was cast as the lead role of Count di Luna in Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il trovatore."
Recognition and Success
After his outstanding performance, Iriarte gained recognition and the opportunity to participate in many famous opera productions. He became a protagonist in operas such as "Amico Fritz," "Carmen," "Aida," "Pagliacci," "Bastien and Bastiana," and others, which made him even more recognizable and successful. One of the main venues where the singer showcased his talents and achieved national fame was the City Theater of Caracas. In 1967, Ramon made his international debut in New York City, where he immediately earned a reputation as an excellent opera performer.
Later Years
With over 25 years dedicated to the opera stage, Iriarte is now considered one of the prominent representatives of Venezuelan heritage. However, he decided to take a break from opera and made several recordings of folk music. He also appeared in several television musical shows. As the years went by, Ramon became a bank manager, allowing him to spend more time with his family. In the mid-1990s, he, along with his wife and three children, left Venezuela and settled in Canada. Despite focusing on other aspects of his life, Iriarte occasionally indulges in singing.
