Omara Portuondo, a diva forever

July 9, 2018

If there is one descriptor that does justice to Omara Portuondo, it is that of a diva—no matter what challenges she sets for herself, she is always capable of overcoming them, and her extensive and acclaimed work is the best proof.

Portuondo is not bound by stereotypes; she can draw applause from the most demanding audiences in the world, but also share the magic of her voice with her most humble followers, making each moment something unique, memorable, and moving.

Life's twists, betting on the idea that every situation has its reason, led her last Saturday night to her place of origin, the Havana neighborhood of Cayo Hueso, where the legend began 87 years ago.

The pretext was the presentation of her most recent album, titled Omara Siempre, a collection of duets in circulation since May released by the record label Egrem.

However, "The Bride of Feeling," as the star of the Buena Vista Social Club is also known, broke with the established script in keeping with the album and gifted the audience an exquisite repertoire that in her voice has made Cuban song an expression of universal caliber.

Between jokes and childhood memories, Omara began with Noche cubana, a song credited to the legendary composer César Portillo de Luz, a piece that marked an era and the careers of its authors Orlando Fierro (lyrics) and Bobby Collazo (music).

This was followed by classics such as Lágrimas negras by Miguel Matamoros; Adiós, felicidad by Ela O'Farrill; by Ramón Espígul; Tal vez by Juan Formell; 20 años by Guillermina Aramburu and María Teresa Vera; and La era está pariendo un corazón by Silvio Rodríguez, among others.

Curiously, from the album Omara Siempre the artist only performed Sábanas Blancas, a song by singer-songwriter Gerardo Alfonso.

The Cuban diva showed at every moment a complete mastery of the twists of such a varied repertoire, as well as the talent and charisma that have made her a universal artist.

The audience chanted along to each one of the songs, some suggested to the artist, who raised no objections to the requests of her most faithful admirers, thus creating an atmosphere of complicity, almost magical, throughout two hours on stage.

Amigas, an icon of Cuban song composed by Alberto Vera, was the diva's choice to bring the concert to a close, a classic that she originally performed together with Elena Burke and Moraima Secada, her companions in the legendary quartet Las D'Aida.

Omara Portuondo's concert in her native neighborhood is the first in a series aimed at promoting her new album and celebrating the 500th anniversary of the founding of Havana.

Source: Cubarte