Description

LUIS ALMODOVAR (ASPE, ALICANTE, 1888 – MILAN, 1961)

 

 

 

 

His complete name was Luis Almodovar Navarro.

Early Life and Education:

• Education: Almodovar Navarro studied at the Real Conservatory of Madrid, where he developed his vocal skills and received formal training in classical music.

Opera Career:

• Debut: He made his stage debut at the Teatro Gaffurio in Lodi, Italy, in Andrea Chénier.
• Teatro Real, Madrid: In 1916, he performed at the Teatro Real in Madrid, where he achieved notable success in I Pescatori di Perle by G. Bizet, alongside Giuseppe Anselmi. He also triumphed in roles in Otello and Rigoletto at the same theatre.
• Milan: Almodovar Navarro moved to Milan to refine his style and master the Italian repertoire. His talent attracted the attention of composer Pietro Mascagni, who engaged him to perform in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Teatro Lirico in Milan.
• Other Italian Engagements: In 1917, he appeared at the Teatro Carcano in Milan in La Gioconda. He also performed at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, sharing the stage with Alessandro Bonci in Un Ballo in Maschera. He sang Lodoletta with Beniamino Gigli at the same theatre and appeared in the same opera with Toti Dal Monte at the Teatro Communale in Cesena.
• International Success: In 1919, he performed with great success in various Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, Brescia, Genoa, and Palermo.

Transition to Zarzuela:

• Change of Repertoire: Around 1927, Almodovar Navarro transitioned to singing zarzuela, making his debut in this genre at the Teatro Tivoli in Barcelona with Por una mujer by Juan Bautista Lambert.
• Spanish and Latin American Career: He enjoyed considerable success in both Spanish and Latin American cities, integrating into the Compania Lirica Nacional, which performed at the Teatro de la Zarzuela and in various provinces.

Later Career and Legacy:

• Career in Spain: Throughout the 1930s, Almodovar Navarro’s career flourished primarily in Spain, where he became a prominent figure in the zarzuela repertoire.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. El romeral (Diaz Giles/Muro): Romanza B 25810-II 76766 Parlophon
2. Las Golondrinas (Martínez Sierra): Se reía B 25810-I 76779 Parlophon
3. Los Gavilanes (Guerrero): Milonga B 25811-II 76764 Parlophon
4. Los Gavilanes (Guerrero): Salida B 25811-I 76765 Parlophon
5. Las Golondrinas ( Usandizaga): Serenata 57009 Odeon
6. La Del Panuelo Rojo (Tabuyo) Odeon
7. Mi Nina (Guetary): Habanera 56999 Odeon
8. Los ojos negros (Alvarez) 57006 Odeon
9. La tempestad (Chapi): Monólogo 1ª parte 57000 Odeon
10. La tempestad (Chapi): Monólogo 2ª parte 57001 Odeon
11. Barcarola (Nieto) 57005 Odeon
12. La Partida (Alvzrez): 57003 Odeon
13. Plegaria (Alvarez) 56994 Odeon
14. Veneciana canción (Nieto) 57004 Odeon
15. Maruxa (Vives): Dúo Pablo y Maruxa 1ª parte with Carmen Domingo XX 99956 Odeon
16. Maruxa (Vives): Dúo Pablo y Maruxa with Carmen Domingo 2ª parte XX 99957 Odeon
17. Martierra (Guerrero): Duo de la guitarra y el acordeon with Tino Folgar 2-264197 BJ1534 Disco Gramofono
18. Martierra (Guerrero): Cuarteto with Tino Folgar, Dorini and Flora Pereira 2-264198 BJ153 Disco Gramofono
19. Martierra (Guerrero): Duo de Santa y Jose with Dorini 2-264199 BJ1547 Disco Gramofono
20. Martierra (Guerrero): Gananadas with Dorini 2-264200 BJ1548 Disco Gramofono