Pedro Vargas Mata (San Miguel de Allende, 29 April 1906[1] – Mexico City, 30 October 1989) was a Mexican tenor and actor, from the golden age of Mexican cinema, participating in more than 70 films. He was known as the "Nightingale of the Americas", "Song Samurai" or "Continental Tenor".[2]
Despite his training in opera, he dedicated his career to popular song, reaching international recognition and becoming one of the main interpreters of Agustín Lara.
Born into a family of modest means, Pedro Vargas sang in the church choir in his hometown from the age of seven. In 1920, when he was only 14 years old, he came to Mexico City and immediately began singing in the choirs of several churches and giving serenades. It was in Colegio Francés de La Salle where he was given a scholarship to study piano and solfeggio and where he met the composer and tenor Mario Talavera –his guide and mentor– who recommended him to Professor José Pierson [es].[1] While he was there he met Jorge Negrete, Alfonso Ortiz Tirado and Juan Arvizu. José Mojica also recommended him to Alejandro Cuevas, who offered him free lessons.
On his first visit to Buenos Aires he recorded two of his own compositions for the RCA Victor label: "Porteñita mía" and "Me fui", with musical backing from pianist Agüero Pepe and the legendary violinist Elvino Vardaro.
On 12 September 1931, he married María Teresa Camo Jáuregui, who came originally from a Querétaro family and with whom he had four children, Pedro, Mario, Marcelo and Alejandro.
He found great success as one of the best interpreters of the composer Agustín Lara, as well as many other composers from Latin America, and enabled their music to traverse the most diverse countries in the continent, mainly Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela. With a very extensive repertoire that included lyrical songs such as "Jinetes en el Cielo", ranchera songs like "Allá en el Rancho Grande", boleros such as "Obsesión" (sung as a duet with Beny Moré) and nostalgic songs like "Alfonsina y el mar", Pedro Vargas received the well-deserved title of "The Nightingale of the Americas" from the public.
Deathedit
Pedro Vargas died due to complications with his diabetes while sleeping and suffered from a heart attack, 30 October 1989, in Mexico City, at the age of 83.[citation needed]
Discographyedit
Long (vinyl)
El ReyPedro Vargas – RCA VICTOR – 0107LPA
Tracks
– Te Solté la Rienda
– Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez
– A Donde Va Nuestro Amor?
– Mi Paloma Triste #- Volver, Volver
– El Rey #- Cruz de Olvido
– 16 Años
– Eres Tú
– Amor de Mi Vida
– Que Te Vaya Bonito
Así Es Mi TierraPedro Vargas y La Rondalla Tapatía – RCA VICTOR – 0107LPB