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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Mis 60 primeros Boleros y Rancheras
Chavela Vargas Lyrics
Adoro Adoro la calle en que nos vimos la noche cuando nos…
Amanecí en Tus Brazos Amanecí otra vez Entre tus brazos Y desperté llorando De a…
Anillo de compromiso Anillo de bodas que puse en tu mano Anillo que es…
Aquel Amor Aquel amor, Que marchitó mi vida, Aquel amor Que fue…
Cartas Marcadas Por todas las ofensas que me has hecho Y a cambio…
Cuando Vivas Conmigo De mis ojos está brotando el llanto. A mis años estoy…
Desdén Aunque mi vida esté de sombras llena no necesito amar, no…
Desdeñosa Esas tus miradas de fulgor extraño Esa tu sonrisa de color…
El Día que Me Dijiste El día que me dijiste pa´que negar que te quiero se te…
En el último trago Tómate esta botella conmigo Y en el último trago nos…
Flor De Azalea Déjame que te cuente, limeña Déjame que te diga…
Golondrina Viajera Golondrina viajera, de mirar dulce y triste, que tu nido f…
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 China Mi china me conoce y hasta en los pasos Pero si…
La Churrasca I don't mind it, I don't mind at all It's like…
La Coyota En la Sierra de Fresnillo Cerca del ojo del agua Se habla…
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 Niña Isabel En el café del vapor de la bahía cubana Cantaba niña…
La Noche de Mi Mal No quiero ni volver a oír tu nombre No quiero…
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…
Manzanita Por lo fina y lo bonita Por lo fresca y lo…
Maringa Como una rosa perfumada, Maringa La pastora mas hermosa Que …
Mi Segundo Amor Yo tuve un amor y me traicionó Dejándome en el alma…
Mia No Mas Latieron dos corazones Pintando su desvarío Uno debió ser el…
Negra María ¡Bruna, Bruna! Nació María Y está en su cuna Nació de día T…
No Volveré [...] cuando lejos te encuentres de mi cuando quieras que e…
Noche de Ronda No quiero ni volver a oír tu nombre No quiero…
Obsesión Por alto esté el cielo en el mundo, por hondo que…
Ojos Tristes Tienen tus ojos un raro encanto Tus ojos tristes como de…
Paloma Negra Ya me canso de llorar y no amanece Ya no sé…
Pena Mulata Pena mulata que se desata Bajo la bata de broderí Dolor de…
Piensa en Mi Si tienes un hondo penar Piensa en mí; …
Presentimiento Sin saber que existías, te deseaba Y antes de conocerte te…
Que Si Te Quiero Juralo Ya te vi, yo ya me voy Ya no quiero estar…
Que Te Vaya Bonito Ojala que te vaya bonito ojala que se acaben tus penas que…
Quisiera Amarte Menos Primavera de mis veinte años Relicario de mi juventud Un c…
Rayando el Sol Rayando el sol... Me despedí... Bajo la brisa Y allí me acor…
Se Me Hizo Fácil Se me hizo fácil borrar de mi memoria a esa mujer a…
Simón Blanco Voy a cantar un corrido, Sin agravio y sin disgusto... Lo …
Soledad Soledad, Fue una noche sin estrellas Cuando al irte me de…
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…
Tú y la Mentira Vuelve otra vez, vuelve otra vez es el grito de amor que…
Un Mundo Raro Cuando te hablen de amor Y de ilusiones Y te…
Una Cerca en Mi Camino Tal vez, ya no recuerdes Cuando nos conocimos En ese instant…
Volver, Volver Este amor apasionado anda todo alborotado por volver. Voy ca…