Guanajuato celebrates Jorge Negrete

The so called “Singing Charro” Jorge Negrete is honored with a concert in Guanajuato  City

Guanajuato/Gto News

The greatest reference of the elegant and gallant charro, Jorge Negrete received a tribute of admiration from Guanajuatenses in a musical evening at the Teatro Juarez, on the 112th anniversary of his birth and on the eve of his 70th death anniversary.

“Guanajuato beautiful and beloved. Remembering Jorge Negrete”, was the title of the special concert prepared by the State Institute of Culture and starring the State Music Band, the Mariachi Trovadores de México and the singer Lorenzo Negrete, grandson of the “Charro Cantor”; all with the artistic direction of Adalberto Tovar.

Packed, the Teatro Juarez was a reliquary of nostalgia and joy, in which some of the songs immortalized by the voice of Jorge Negrete and a selection of melodies by Guanajuato composers, such as Maria Grever, Jesus Elizarraraz, Joaquin Pardave and Jose Alfredo Jimenez.

The band led by Adalberto Tovar opened the evening in the most nostalgic and refined style with “When I return next to you”, by Maria Grever, the first of the 15 jewels served in the gala venue on Sopena Street.

The educated tenor voice of Lorenzo Negrete would spin more songs by the great composer throughout the night, song like: “Júrame” and “I love you, you said”, “Varita de nardo” and “Penjamo”, by Joaquin Pardave, whose lively rhythm summoned euphoria in the Juarez Theater.

Jose Alfredo Jimenez, whose 70th death anniversary was commemorated, was strongly present in the evening, with masterful pieces such as “Caminos de Guanajuato,” “Si nos dejan” and “The Rider,” a mourning huapango that was also one of the emblematic songs sung by Jorge Negrete.

Lorenzo Negrete also made his grandfather present with other songs that became his personal hallmark, such as “Amor con amor se paga” or “Siete lenguas”, in addition to “Si tu te enamoras”, a pearl in which Jorge Negrete made his role as a composer evident.

“Mexico Lindo y Querido,” the composition by Chucho Monge that Negrete managed to make his personal signature, was the apparent closing of the night. Apparent because minutes later, the audience would take the lead, singing “Las Mananitas” when a cake was brought onto the stage to celebrate the 112 years of the “Charro Cantor”.

In the final stretch of the show, state and local authorities highlighted the figure of Jorge Negrete as one of the prides of Guanajuato as it celebrates 200 years as a free and sovereign State. 

“The last drink” served as the encore and final piece of the concert, which will be repeated in the coming days in other Guanajuato venues, such as:

• Teatro de la Ciudad de Celaya (December 1)
• Teatro de la Ciudad de Purísima del Rincón (Sunday 3)
• Irapuato City Theater (Tuesday 5)