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Clotilde Arias

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Clotilde Arias
Born
Clotilde Arias Chávarri

20 June 1901[1]
Died6 May 1959(1959-05-06) (aged 57)
NationalityPeruvian
Occupation(s)Composer, performer
Known forComposition of song "Huiracocha" and official translation of U.S. anthem to Spanish
Spouse
José Anduaga
(m. 1929)
Children1

Clotilde Arias Chávarri Anduaga de Ferrero (20 June 1901 – 6 May 1959) was a Peruvian-American lyricist and composer.

She is best known for her composition of the song "Huiracocha", popular in Peru and sung worldwide; and for her translation of "The Star-Spangled Banner", the United States national anthem, into lyrical Spanish, commissioned by the U.S. Department of State in 1946.[2]

Life

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Arias was born in 1901 in Iquitos, Peru, on the shores of the Amazon. She spent many of her early years in Barbados, where she attended elementary school.

She began writing and composing songs during her teenage years. Arias's artistic talents in music, painting, and composing – including playing for silent movies – emerged early in Iquitos. She achieved scholastic and artistic recognition, with numerous honors. Her perfect pitch and exceptional ability to sight read made her a highly sought accompanist. Throughout Peruvian history, the Charango was a common instrument of their culture. While Arias focused on composing, she also mastered this instrument as a young child.

She moved to New York City in 1923 to study music.[3] She married José Anduaga, another Peruvian artist, in 1929. They settled in Brooklyn and had a son, Roger. By the early 1940s, Arias had divorced Anduaga and moved to Manhattan with her son. In 1942, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen.[2]

Arias mastered multitasking at a time when women commonly did not work outside the home. Throughout her life she did many different things, including working as a translator, composer, musician, journalist, copywriter, activist, educator, and of course, mother. She was sometimes all of them at the same time.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Arias gained success as a composer in the male-dominated advertising industry. Her skills were in great demand, even during the Great Depression, but especially during World War II when U.S. companies tried to expand their markets in Latin America, and ad agencies drafted into the war effort helped create campaigns to develop a favorable image of the United States. She worked for advertising agencies and composed jingles for Alkaseltzer, the Ford Motor Company and the Campbell Soup Company.[4]

Arias composed other serious classical songs, including "Idilio Roto (Broken Idyll)," as well as songs in the popular style of the 1930s, some of which she sold door to door to help support her family. Later, she collaborated with notable composers and writers, including Marjorie Harper, Andy Razaf, Albert Gamse and Irving Caesar. Best known were her Spanish lyrics to song hits "Rum and Coca-Cola" (English lyrics by Morey Amsterdam) and "Managua Nicaragua" (English lyrics by Albert Gamse). In 1945, after the Division and Cultural Cooperation of the Department of State, along with the Music Educators National Conference, called for translations of the United States' national anthem,"The Star-Spangled Banner," to be translated into Spanish and Portuguese so that it could be read in the countries that speak those languages. It had already been translated into Spanish twice, but a truly artful singable translation had yet to be realized. Arias took on that task, and translated it as closely as she could into Spanish. Arias' version remains to this day the only official translation of the national anthem allowed to be sung.[5]

Amongst her numerous compositions, "Huiracocha" may be the best known. Named for a god of the Incas, the song retells the legend of his emergence from the depths of Lake Titicaca to create the sun, moon, and stars, and to breathe life into Allcavica, ancestor of the Inca people. According to Arias's own program note, this song is "dedicated to the Indian, the Forgotten Man of the Americas". It tells of the "sadness of a race calling to the ancient god of their forefathers, who no longer hears his children".

Tributes

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On December 9, 2006,[6] "Huiracocha" was performed at London's Barbican Hall by tenor Juan Diego Flórez. A separate 2009 performance of Huiracocha on YouTube is also available for viewing.

In 2013, "Huiracocha" was recorded by Ward De Vleeschhouwer on the album Chicha Morada in a version for piano solo.

Her lyrical Spanish translation of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is on display in The Star-Spangled Banner exhibit at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.[7]

An exhibit with a display of her cultural achievements in the arts and writings opened at the Albert H. Small Documents Gallery September 27, 2012, and was on display until April 2013.[3]

On October 30, 2020, the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. posted a tribute to Arias on their Instagram account @amhistorymuseum.7

List of works

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List of Works submitted to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
Title Composer(s) Publisher Author
The Star Spangled Banner John Stafford Smith N/A Clotilde Arias (Official Spanish Translation)
The Moon Is Yellow (El Amor Llamo) Ahlert-Lesli Bregman, Vocco & Conn Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Que Capricho Loco Jaime Yamin Caribbean Music Company Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Yo Nunca Quise Amar Jaime Yamin Caribbean Music Company Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Venca Minina Clotilde Arias Caribbean Music Company Clotilde Arias (Spanish/English lyrics)
Mariana Mia Eaton-Lambert-Gamse Caribbean Music Company Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Love Is Such a Cheat (Tal es el Amor) Cuperescu-Caesar Irving Caesar Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Song of Friendship (19 songs) Irving Caesar Irving Caesar Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Song of Safety (20 songs) Mark-Caesar Irving Caesar Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Rum and Coca-Cola Sullivan-Baron-Ambsterdam Leo Feist Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Whispering Pine (Oh Verde Pinar) Trenet-Lawrence Leeds Music Company Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
There's a Smile in Your Eyes (Ya Sonrie El Amor) Montes-Siegman Leeds Music Company Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
The Gypsy (La Gitana) Billy Reid Leeds Music Company Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
On the Way to Venezuela (La Cancion de Venezuela) Madriquera-Gamse Magnet Music Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Forgotten Serenade (La Serenata Olvidada) Sugarman-Gamse Magnet Music Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
The Girl Behind the Song (El Amor Oculto en mi Cancion) Madiera-Gamse Magnet Music Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Chi-Chi-Chi-Rom-Bom Olivares-Gamse Magnet Music Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Caramba, It's the Samba (Caramba es La Samba) Vasquez-Gamse Magnet Music Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Take It Away (Tomalo Tu) Madriquera - Gamse Magnet Music Inc Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
You Are Everything to Me Sanchez - David Paramount Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Muchachita Frydan - Gamse Empress Music Publisher Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Aos Pes Da Cruz (Al Pie de Aquella Cruz) Pinto - Goncalves Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Banzo Tavares - Araujo Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Bates Palmas Pretinho - Guedes Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Bonita Eres Tu Moreales - Re Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Coco de Bahia A. Almeida Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Canta Brazil Nasser - Vermelho Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Coco de Minha Terra (Coco de Mi Tierra) Taveres - D'Altavilla Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Mi Ranchero Clotilde Arias Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Negra de Cabello Duro Nasser - Soares Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Oh Rancho Fundo Barroso - Babo Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Plaza Once Othelo - Martins Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Samba de Copacabana Nasser - Frazao Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Shu-Shu Almeida - de Souza Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Teleco-Teco Caldas - Pinto Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Valle del Rio Dulce Nasser - Pinto Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Vatapa Dorival Caymmi Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Song of the River Savino - Harper Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Soy Bahiana Dorival Caymmi Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Ela Voi A Feira (Me Seinto Bien) Roberti - Greco Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Lig-Lig-Lig-Le Santiago - Barosa Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
La Raspa Mexican folk song Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Cavaquinho Nazareth - Almeida Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Santa Rosa McCarthy Jr - Rae Robbins Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Escucha Tu Clotilde Arias E.B. Marks Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Huiracocha Clotilde Arias E.B. Marks Music Corporation Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Carnival Warren - Russell Triangle Music Corp Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Senora de Guadalupe) Marjorie Harper Whalen Music—Chicago Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Santa Rosa de Lima Marjorie Harper Whalen Music—Chicago Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Red Lips Yellow Moonlight (Labios Como Amapola) Clotilde Arias Leeds Music Corp Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Down the Old Mission Road (Un Recuerdo de Amor) Marjorie Harper Top Notch Music Inc. Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
My Foolish Heart (Mi Enamorado Corazon) Young-Washington DECCA Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Idilio Roto Clotilde Arias R.C.A. Victor Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Suenos de Ayer Sonia Dmitrowna R.C.A. Victor Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Amor Sonia Dmitrowna R.C.A. Victor Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Gato Libre Clotilde ARias R.C.A. Victor Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Sonaba Qui Me Ausentaba Clotilde ARias R.C.A. Victor Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Margarita Sonia Dmitrowna R.C.A.Victor Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Ati-Ra-Ra Clotilde Arias Casi Mardi Inc (Santurce P.R.) Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, on record)
Ford Car 1951 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Ford Car 1952 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Royal Coconut Pudding Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Pond's Lips Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Parkay Margarine No. 1 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Parkay Margarine No. 2 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Royal Flan Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Arrid Deodorant Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Odorono Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Tangee Lipstick 1953-54 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Tangee Lipstick 1955 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Bab-O Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Underwood Deviled Ham 1953-54 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Underwood Deviled Ham 1955 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Blue Bonnet Margarine Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Cambell Soups 1953-54 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Cambell Soups 1955 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (jingle on radio and TV)
Cutex Lipstic Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Cutex Nail-Polish Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Schaefer Beer 1952-1955 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Vienna Sausages Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Alka Seltzer 1953 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV/radio jingle)
Alka Seltzer 1954 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Alka Seltzer 1954 Clotilde Arias Clotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Remington Rand Electric Shaver Clotilde Arias Clotide Arias lyrics (jingle in England)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ New York, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794-1940
  2. ^ a b Baumann, Susana (October 12, 2012). "Clotilde Arias honored for Spanish version of Star-Spangled Banner". Voxxi. VOXXI News. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Not Lost in Translation". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  4. ^ "An Immigrant's 'Star-Spangled Banner,' En Espanol". NPR Music. NPR. October 10, 2012.
  5. ^ "The Star-Spangled Banner ~ Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias | Albert H. Small Documents Gallery | Smithsonian NMAH".
  6. ^ The Dec 9th 2006 performance program Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ (See article on Smithsonian Magazine)