Description

ÁNGEL R. ESQUIVEL (ANGEL RAFAEL ESQUIVEL TIRADO) (CHALCO, STATE OF MEXICO, 1892 – MEXICO CITY, MARCH 1, 1967)

 

 

 

 

He studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico and later joined the Opera Company founded by the renowned maestro José Pierson, thus beginning his career in the world of opera.

He subsequently moved to Italy, where he achieved his greatest successes with the roles of Marcello in La Bohème, the Count di Luna in Il Trovatore, and especially the title role in Rigoletto at the Teatro Verme in Milan, a performance that became legendary throughout Italy. He remained in Italy for nine years, earning enthusiastic acclaim in numerous cities.

He later traveled to France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and eventually New York, where he performed with the Miguel Lerdo de Tejada Typical Orchestra. From there he went to Philadelphia, where he made recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company.

Upon returning to Mexico, he had acquired vast experience and a highly refined artistry. In his comeback appearance at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, he sang the title role in Rigoletto. One of his last performances was Mozart’s Don Giovanni, which had not been staged in Mexico for forty years.

For more than thirty years he devoted himself to teaching. It is best, however, to let him describe this period in his own words:

“…When the operatic world in which I had flourished began to decline, I felt completely at a loss; it seemed that the purpose of my life had come to an end. Then Maestro David Silva suggested that, upon his retirement, I take over his voice classes at the National Conservatory of Music and at the National School of Music of UNAM.

At first, the idea did not appeal to me, for I still felt young enough and fully capable of continuing my career as a singer rather than becoming a teacher. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a try.

What a new horizon opened before me… I began to take pleasure in every voice entrusted to me. Watching my students develop and progress gave me the same joy I had experienced as a performer—indeed, an even greater one—because I had shared in shaping that achievement.

I see myself reflected in each of them. I suffer through their hardships and rejoice in their successes, for a small part of me lives on in every one of their voices.”

Maestro Esquivel died in Mexico City on March 1, 1967. Thirty-one years after his death, his students continued to remember him with sincere gratitude.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Mañanita fría (Alfonso Esparza Oteo) Victor 79244 XVE-177 12-8-1926 Mexico City, Mexico

Maria Mari! (Di Capua) Victor 69796 B-19860 5-17-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Ojos tapatíos (Fernando Méndez Velázquez) (w. García Cornejo & Talavera) Victor 72494 B-19824 5-14- 1917 Camden, New Jersey

Oye la voz de mi cantar, María (Ortiz-Miguel Lerdo de Tejada) Victor 69791 B-19652 5-2-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Paloma blanca (José Torres Ovando) (w. García Cornejo & Talavera) Victor 69792 B-19825 5-14-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Para amar sin consuelo (Manuel M. Ponce) (w. García Cornejo & Talavera) Victor 72497 B-19681 5-15- 1917 Camden, New Jersey

Pensando en tí (José Torres Ovando) Victor 69793 B-19676 5-3-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Perjura Part 1 (José Torres Ovando) (w. García Cornejo & Talavera) Victor 69555 B-19827 5-15-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Perjura Part 2 (José Torres Ovando) (w. García Cornejo & Talavera) Victor 69555 B-19828 5-15-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Pobre mujer Miguel Lerdo de Tejada (piano) Victor 69549 B-19647 5-1-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Sin esperanza (Miguel Lerdo de Tejada) Victor 69552 B-19682 5-4-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Tú bien lo sabes (Miguel Lerdo de Tejada) Victor 69551 B-19675 5-3-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Tú y yo (Tata Nacho) Victor 79244 XVE-152 12-3-1926 Mexico City, Mexico

Virgencita (Salvador Pérez) Victor 69794 B-19678 5-4-1917 Camden, New Jersey

Ya soy feliz (Miguel Lerdo de Tejada) Victor 69789 B-19641 4-30-1917 Camden, New Jersey