Estrellita Castro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Estrellita Castro
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Estrella Castro Navarrete |
| Also known as | «La Castro» «Queen of Pasodoble» |
| Born | 26 June 1908 Seville, Spain |
| Died | 10 July 1983 (aged 75) Madrid, Spain |
| Genres | Copla and flamenco |
| Occupation(s) | Singer and actress |
| Instruments | Vocals |
Estrellita Castro (born Estrella Castro Navarrete) was a famous Spanish singer and actress. She was born on June 26, 1908, in Seville, Spain. She passed away on July 10, 1983, in Madrid. Estrellita was known for her powerful voice and unique style.
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Estrellita Castro's Early Life and Music
Estrellita grew up in a simple family in Seville. She started singing when she was very young. She would sing on the streets of Seville to earn money.
When she was 11, Estrellita went to Realito Music School. She learned singing techniques there. To pay for her lessons, she helped with chores around Realito's house.
At just 12 years old, she performed for royalty. She sang for King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia. This special performance took place at the Royal Alcázares in Seville.
A famous bullfighter, Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, noticed her talent. He saw her singing and dancing at a charity event. He was so impressed that he gave her a gold coin. Estrellita Castro made her first official stage appearance at Tronío Theatre in Seville. Soon, she was performing in big theaters across Spain. She also performed in Europe, Latin America, and even the USA.
Estrellita Castro's Film Career
Estrellita's success as a singer caught the eye of many people. Business managers helped her start an international career. She became very popular in major European cities. She was also a beloved star in several Latin American countries.
Her singing fame led her to the film industry. She quickly became one of the most popular Spanish actresses. She was also one of the highest-paid at that time.
She appeared in a short film clip in 1933. Her real movie debut was in 1935, in Rosario la Cortijera. Estrellita starred in 40 movies during her career. Some of her most important films were made in Germany. These included Suspiros de España, The Barber of Seville, and Mariquilla Terremoto.
People loved her charming movements on screen. Her strong, clear voice and beauty also won over audiences. A famous part of her look was a special hair-curl on her forehead.
Estrellita Castro's Musical Legacy
Estrellita Castro was most famous in the 1930s and 1940s. Many people believe she created a Spanish music style called Andalusian song, or copla. This is a very traditional Spanish music genre.
She grew up around flamenco cafés in Seville. This helped her learn a lot about different flamenco styles. She mixed flamenco sounds with French songs (called couplets). This created a new folk fusion style, which became known as copla.
Some of Estrellita's biggest hit songs include Mi jaca, Suspiros de España, and La Morena de mi copla. Other popular songs were Los Tientos del Reloj, María de la O, Mari Cruz, and María Magdalena.
Even though she mostly sang folk music, she was a very talented artist. She sang many different musical styles. These included zambras, Cuban boleros, and mazurkas. The famous Argentinian singer Carlos Gardel also introduced her to tangos. She was also a great flamenco singer. She performed many flamenco styles like serranas, soleares, saetas, guajiras, sevillanas, and tanguillos.
Tributes and Honors
In the 1960s and 1970s, Estrellita Castro received many awards. She was a living legend for Spanish music and movies. In 1962, she was given the "Medalla al Mérito en el Trabajo". This award, the Gold Medal for Merit at Work, honored her lifelong dedication to music and work.
In 1978, the City Council of Seville named a street after her. This was because she helped make her city famous around the world. She also had streets named after her in Cordoba and Madrid.
Estrellita Castro passed away in 1983. Her body was displayed at Teatro Lara, where she had been so successful. She was buried in Madrid, in the Almudena Graveyard. She was buried with a hair curl on her forehead and a Spanish mantilla.
Filmography
- 1933: Mi patio andaluz (short film)
- 1935: Rosario la Cortijera
- 1938: Suspiros de España
- 1938: The Barber of Seville
- 1938: Mariquilla Terremoto
- 1939: Los hijos de la noche
- 1940: La gitanilla
- 1941: Whirlwind
- 1942: Los misterios de Tánger
- 1943: La maja del capote
- 1943: La patria chica
- 1953: You Had To Be a Gypsy
- 1967: La Niña del patio
- 1971: La casa de los Martínez
- 1973: Casa Flora
Clips
- Estrellita Castro performs "Suspiros de España" (video clip)
See also
In Spanish: Estrellita Castro para niños
