The mezzo -soprano Ana María Iriarte has died on February 4 in Valencia at the age of 98. It is very difficult to describe in a few words the magnitude of the musical legacy that leaves us, but it is even more difficult to summarize their human virtues as a singer, mother and teacher of so many young singers in this country.
Debuted in 1945 at the main theater in Valencia with The dreamer of the teacher Giner at the early age of 18, combining the study in the Conservatory of Madrid with the interpretation, being one of its main qualities, the discipline in the study and perfection. That led her to study inside and outside Spain with the best, such as Ramona Nieto, Lola Rodríguez Aragón or Elvira Hidalgo, with interpretations of great relevance as Cavalleria Rusticana, Carmen y To the favoritea.
In 1951 he moved to Vienna to continue his training and improve in the oratory area, operates and lied, to which a wide tour of Spain continued, where he returned in 1952 to receive the National Theater Award and act at the Granada Festival with the staging of the staging of the Witch love. Subsequently it was awarded the Gran Disc Price In France, in whose country it was established in 1957 for the study of the French opera, under the baton of Pierre Bernac. In 1956 the Teatro de la Zarzuela reopened its doors with the zarzuela Doña Francisquita, whose stellar role, Beltrana, was performed by Ana María Iriarte in a star performance that has remained as a reference in the stage and music recorded by Columbia albums, probably the best classic recordings that have been made in Spain.
In between all his artistic and musical journey, he had time for love and formed a unique marriage with Enrique Inurrieta, director of Columbia discs, whose catalog includes more than 30 discs by Zarzuela, Opera and Spanish song, which still today are the great Reference for Spanish and foreign musicologists. This artistic and complex symbiosis led her to retire young and leave a unique legacy, for her voice, temper and artistic capacity. His great performances with Manuel Ausensi, led by the great Ataulfo Argenta, are museum pieces that remain for posterity.
As of 1982, he founded his school of singing, through which many young talents have passed, who have succeeded in their professional life, thanks to their determination, generosity, love for music, and zarzuela in particular, but above all for the enormous talent she treasured. In 2006, he founded his own foundation, which bears his name, and is launched to the production of unpublished works, such as La Celestina, Nin Culmell, released at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in 2008. But without a doubt, his dream was fulfilled was the international competition of Zarzuela, held in Gijón and Madrid, which has been the cradle of new talents such as Andeka Gorrocategui, Miren Urbieta or Alejandro or Alejandro of the hill. At this stage he was accompanied by many wonderful people, such as Pepe Garcia Quijada, Hilde Sánchez Morales, Alicia Berri, Belén Elvira, Oliver Díaz, Elías Romero, Ricardo France or Nacho García, among many others.
Today all of us who treat it and want it congratulates us to know that, like all the great More musical and has done more for the music of this country.