Clotilde Arias

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Clotilde Arias
Clotilde Arias Estados Unidos (cropped).jpg
Born
Clotilde Arias Chávarri

20 June 1901 [1]
Iquitos, Peru
Died6 May 1959(1959-05-06) (aged 57)
Burlington, Vermont, US
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 composer and lyricist.

Contents

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] Arias was also an integral part of the Pan-American movement during the 1940s, as well as an advocate for Spanish-language education in the United States. [3]

Life

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. [4]

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. [5] She married José Anduaga, another Peruvian artist, in 1929. [6] 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]

Professional Career

Arias was an incredibly capable woman, and spent considerable time developing a wide variety of skills. During her lifetime, she worked as a composer, musician, copywriter, educator, translator, journalist, and activist, all while being a single parent. [6] Amongst her many jobs, Arias translated English-language radio shows into Spanish to help reach a wider audience. [7]

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Arias gained success as a composer in the male-dominated advertising industry. During World War II, U.S. companies were intent on expanding their markets into Latin America. Arias was perfectly placed and skilled to assist in this endeavor. She frequently worked for advertising companies and composed jingles for Alkaseltzer, the Ford Motor Company and the Campbell Soup Company. [8] She eventually even became head of the Spanish-language division of the Robert Otto agency. [9]

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), and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." [9]

"El Pendon Estrellado"

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 at major events. [10] This translation also had significant political impact at the time, as President Franklin Roosevelt worked to gain allies for the U.S. war effort. Arias' translation was part of a concerted endeavor to create positive relations with Latin American countries through the spread of American patriotic music and culture as part of the Good Neighbor Policy. [8]

"Huiracocha"

Source: [11]

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

On December 9, 2006, [12] "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. [13]

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. [5]

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

List of Works submitted to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
TitleComposer(s)PublisherAuthor
The Star Spangled Banner John Stafford Smith N/AClotilde Arias (Official Spanish Translation)
The Moon Is Yellow (El Amor Llamo)Ahlert-LesliBregman, Vocco & Conn IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Que Capricho LocoJaime YaminCaribbean Music CompanyClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Yo Nunca Quise AmarJaime YaminCaribbean Music CompanyClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Venca MininaClotilde AriasCaribbean Music CompanyClotilde Arias (Spanish/English lyrics)
Mariana MiaEaton-Lambert-GamseCaribbean Music CompanyClotilde 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 CaesarIrving CaesarClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Song of Safety (20 songs)Mark-CaesarIrving CaesarClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Rum and Coca-ColaSullivan-Baron-AmbsterdamLeo Feist IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Whispering Pine (Oh Verde Pinar)Trenet-LawrenceLeeds Music CompanyClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
There's a Smile in Your Eyes (Ya Sonrie El Amor)Montes-SiegmanLeeds Music CompanyClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
The Gypsy (La Gitana)Billy ReidLeeds Music CompanyClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
On the Way to Venezuela (La Cancion de Venezuela)Madriquera-GamseMagnet Music IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Forgotten Serenade (La Serenata Olvidada)Sugarman-GamseMagnet Music IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
The Girl Behind the Song (El Amor Oculto en mi Cancion)Madiera-GamseMagnet Music IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Chi-Chi-Chi-Rom-BomOlivares-GamseMagnet Music IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Caramba, It's the Samba (Caramba es La Samba)Vasquez-GamseMagnet Music IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Take It Away (Tomalo Tu)Madriquera - GamseMagnet Music IncClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
You Are Everything to MeSanchez - DavidParamountClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
MuchachitaFrydan - GamseEmpress Music PublisherClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Aos Pes Da Cruz (Al Pie de Aquella Cruz)Pinto - GoncalvesRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
BanzoTavares - AraujoRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Bates PalmasPretinho - GuedesRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Bonita Eres TuMoreales - ReRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Coco de BahiaA. AlmeidaRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Canta BrazilNasser - VermelhoRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Coco de Minha Terra (Coco de Mi Tierra)Taveres - D'AltavillaRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Mi RancheroClotilde AriasRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Negra de Cabello DuroNasser - SoaresRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Oh Rancho FundoBarroso - BaboRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Plaza OnceOthelo - MartinsRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Samba de CopacabanaNasser - FrazaoRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Shu-ShuAlmeida - de SouzaRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Teleco-TecoCaldas - PintoRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Valle del Rio DulceNasser - PintoRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
VatapaDorival CaymmiRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Song of the RiverSavino - HarperRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Soy BahianaDorival CaymmiRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Ela Voi A Feira (Me Seinto Bien)Roberti - GrecoRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Lig-Lig-Lig-LeSantiago - BarosaRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
La RaspaMexican folk songRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
CavaquinhoNazareth - AlmeidaRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Santa RosaMcCarthy Jr - RaeRobbins Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Escucha TuClotilde AriasE.B. Marks Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
HuiracochaClotilde AriasE.B. Marks Music CorporationClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
CarnivalWarren - RussellTriangle Music CorpClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Senora de Guadalupe)Marjorie HarperWhalen Music—ChicagoClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Santa Rosa de LimaMarjorie HarperWhalen Music—ChicagoClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Red Lips Yellow Moonlight (Labios Como Amapola)Clotilde AriasLeeds Music CorpClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Down the Old Mission Road (Un Recuerdo de Amor)Marjorie HarperTop Notch Music Inc.Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
My Foolish Heart (Mi Enamorado Corazon)Young-WashingtonDECCAClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Idilio RotoClotilde AriasR.C.A. VictorClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Suenos de AyerSonia DmitrownaR.C.A. VictorClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
AmorSonia DmitrownaR.C.A. VictorClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Gato LibreClotilde ARiasR.C.A. VictorClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Sonaba Qui Me AusentabaClotilde ARiasR.C.A. VictorClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
MargaritaSonia DmitrownaR.C.A.VictorClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics)
Ati-Ra-RaClotilde AriasCasi Mardi Inc (Santurce P.R.)Clotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, on record)
Ford Car 1951Clotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Ford Car 1952Clotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Royal Coconut PuddingClotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Pond's LipsClotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, jingle)
Parkay Margarine No. 1Clotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Parkay Margarine No. 2Clotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Royal FlanClotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Arrid DeodorantClotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
OdoronoClotilde AriasClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Tangee Lipstick 1953-54Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Tangee Lipstick 1955Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Bab-OClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Underwood Deviled Ham 1953-54Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Underwood Deviled Ham 1955Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Blue Bonnet MargarineClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Cambell Soups 1953-54Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (lyrics, jingle)
Cambell Soups 1955Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (jingle on radio and TV)
Cutex LipsticClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Cutex Nail-PolishClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Schaefer Beer 1952-1955Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Vienna SausagesClotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV jingle)
Alka Seltzer 1953Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias (Spanish lyrics, TV/radio jingle)
Alka Seltzer 1954Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Alka Seltzer 1954Clotilde AriasClotilde Arias lyrics (jingle on radio and TV)
Remington Rand Electric ShaverClotilde AriasClotide Arias lyrics (jingle in England)

See also

References

  1. ↑ New York, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794-1940
  2. 1 2 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. ↑ Millones, Alex (2024). "Clotilde Arias: A Champion of Inclusive Pan-American Cultural Exchange in New York City (1930-1950)".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ↑ "Iquitos ~ Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias | Albert H. Small Documents Gallery | Smithsonian NMAH". americanhistory.si.edu. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Not Lost in Translation". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Brooklyn ~ Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias | Albert H. Small Documents Gallery | Smithsonian NMAH". americanhistory.si.edu. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Manhattan ~ Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias | Albert H. Small Documents Gallery | Smithsonian NMAH". americanhistory.si.edu. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "An Immigrant's 'Star-Spangled Banner,' En Espanol". NPR Music. NPR. October 10, 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Advertising ~ Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias | Albert H. Small Documents Gallery | Smithsonian NMAH". americanhistory.si.edu. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  10. ↑ "The Star-Spangled Banner ~ Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias | Albert H. Small Documents Gallery | Smithsonian NMAH".
  11. ↑ "Huiracocha ~ Not Lost in Translation: The Life of Clotilde Arias | Albert H. Small Documents Gallery | Smithsonian NMAH". americanhistory.si.edu. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  12. ↑ The Dec 9th 2006 performance program Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ (See article on Smithsonian Magazine)
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