Isabel Vargas Lizano (born 17 April 1919, died August 5, 2012) was a Costa … Read Full Bio ↴Isabel Vargas Lizano (born 17 April 1919, died August 5, 2012) was a Costa Rican-born Mexican singer. She is especially known for her rendition of Mexican rancheras genre - a folkloric musical genre widely popular in Mexico - but she is also recognized for her contribution to other popular Latin American song genres. She has been an influential interpreter in the Americas and Europe, muse to figures such as Pedro Almodóvar, hailed for her haunting performances, and called "la voz áspera de la ternura", the rough voice of tenderness.
Isabel Vargas Lizano was born in San Joaquín de Flores, Costa Rica. She goes by Chavela, which is a nickname for Isabel. At only 14, she fled her native country due to lack of musical career opportunities, seeking refuge in Mexico, where an entertainment industry was burgeoning. For many years she sang on the streets but in her thirties she became a professional singer. In her youth, she dressed as a man, smoked cigars, drank heavily, carried a gun and was known for her characteristic red jorongo, which she still dons in performances.
Her first album, Noche de Bohemia (Bohemian Night), was released in 1961 with the professional support of José Alfredo Jiménez, one of the foremost singer/songwriters of the Mexican cancion ranchera. Vargas has recorded over eighty albums thereafter. She was hugely successful during the 1950s, 1960s and the first half of the 70s, touring in Mexico, the United States, France and Spain and was close to many prominent artists and intellectuals of the time, including Juan Rulfo, Agustín Lara, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Dolores Olmedo and José Alfredo Jiménez. She partly retired in the late 1970s due to a 15 year-long battle with alcoholism, which she has described in her autobiography (Y si quieres saber de mi pasado [And if you want to know about my past], published in 2002) as "my 15 years in hell" At 81 years old, she publicly declared that she was a lesbian.
Vargas returned to the stage in 1991, performing at the venue "El Habito" in Coyoacan, Mexico City.She debuted at Carnegie Hall in 2003 at the age of 83 at the behest and promotion of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, a long-time admirer and personal friend of Vargas.
In April 2012 she released her latest album "Luna Grande" a tribute to Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.
Isabel Vargas Lizano was born in San Joaquín de Flores, Costa Rica. She goes by Chavela, which is a nickname for Isabel. At only 14, she fled her native country due to lack of musical career opportunities, seeking refuge in Mexico, where an entertainment industry was burgeoning. For many years she sang on the streets but in her thirties she became a professional singer. In her youth, she dressed as a man, smoked cigars, drank heavily, carried a gun and was known for her characteristic red jorongo, which she still dons in performances.
Her first album, Noche de Bohemia (Bohemian Night), was released in 1961 with the professional support of José Alfredo Jiménez, one of the foremost singer/songwriters of the Mexican cancion ranchera. Vargas has recorded over eighty albums thereafter. She was hugely successful during the 1950s, 1960s and the first half of the 70s, touring in Mexico, the United States, France and Spain and was close to many prominent artists and intellectuals of the time, including Juan Rulfo, Agustín Lara, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Dolores Olmedo and José Alfredo Jiménez. She partly retired in the late 1970s due to a 15 year-long battle with alcoholism, which she has described in her autobiography (Y si quieres saber de mi pasado [And if you want to know about my past], published in 2002) as "my 15 years in hell" At 81 years old, she publicly declared that she was a lesbian.
Vargas returned to the stage in 1991, performing at the venue "El Habito" in Coyoacan, Mexico City.She debuted at Carnegie Hall in 2003 at the age of 83 at the behest and promotion of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, a long-time admirer and personal friend of Vargas.
In April 2012 she released her latest album "Luna Grande" a tribute to Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.
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Chavela Vargas. Sus 40 Grandes Canciones
Chavela Vargas Lyrics
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Angelitos Negros Me mandaron una carta mujer Y yo la recibi No la quise…
Anillo de compromiso Anillo de bodas que puse en tu mano Anillo que es…
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Cartas Marcadas Por todas las ofensas que me has hecho Y a cambio…
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Ella Me cansé de rogarle, me cansé de decirle que yo por ella de…
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Flor De Azalea Déjame que te cuente, limeña Déjame que te diga…
Hace un año Hace un año que yo tuve una ilusión hace un año, que hoy…
Juan Charrasqueado Voy a contarles un corrido muy mentado Lo que ha pasado…
La Enorme Distancia Estoy tan lejos de aquí y a pesar de la…
La Llorona Todos me dicen el negro, Llorona Negro pero cariñoso Todos m…
La Nave del Olvido Espera Aún la nave del olvido no ha partido No condenemos al…
La Noche de Mi Mal No quiero ni volver a oír tu nombre No quiero…
La Zandunga Antenoche fui a tu casa, Tres golpes le di al candado, Tie…
Lamento Borincano Sale, loco de contento Con su cargamento para la ciudad, ay,…
Luz de Luna Yo quiero luz de luna Para mi noche triste Para…
Macorina Ponme la mano aquí Macorina Ponme la mano aquí (bis) Vei…
Maringa Como una rosa perfumada, Maringa La pastora mas hermosa Que …
Negra María ¡Bruna, Bruna! Nació María Y está en su cuna Nació de día T…
Noche de Ronda No quiero ni volver a oír tu nombre No quiero…
Nosotros Chavela Vargas: Atiéndeme, quiero decirte algo que quizá n…
Piensa en Mi Si tienes un hondo penar Piensa en mí; …
Que Te Vaya Bonito Ojala que te vaya bonito ojala que se acaben tus penas que…
Se Me Hizo Fácil Se me hizo fácil borrar de mi memoria a esa mujer a…
Se Me Olvidó Otra Vez Probablemente ya de mí te te has olvidado y sin embargo yo t…
Sombras Cuando tú te hayas ido Me envolverán las sombras Cuando tú t…
Tata Dios Ponme mi vestido blanco aquel con que nos casamos el docto…
Toda Una Vida Toda una vida estaría contigo No me importa en que forma Ni…
Volver, Volver Este amor apasionado anda todo alborotado por volver. Voy ca…