2024-03-03 09:43:41
He is one of the artists who does not need to use a last name, his name is his signature: Raphael. He arrived for the first time in Argentina in 1967 at the age of 22 and knew how to conquer the public from that legendary stage (Opera) and also from black and white television programs. He was a child prodigy, since from the age of three he sang and was conquering viewers from different countries regardless of his nationality. He began professionally in 1962, when he won the Benidorm Song Festival, in Alicante, Spain.
Now he returns to give just one show – on March 70 at the Movistar Arena. It will be the presentation of her new album, which gives the tour its name: “Victoria”. He announces that he will perform his classic and long-awaited songs such as “Mi Gran Noche”, “Yo Soy Aquél”, “Como yo te amo,” but will announce the new ones that were created by Pablo López, such as “De tanta gente”, “Para stay standing” and “About to kiss you”.
In his brand new sixty years of career he obtained numerous awards and distinctions, not only in Spain but also in other countries. He is one of the few artists who has a museum during his lifetime. Since 2011, it opened in his hometown of Linares, in Jaén, just over 250 kilometers from Madrid. He was born in 1943, but as he himself stated, he must take a few years off, since in 2003 he had to undergo a liver transplant, which he also talks regarding in this remote report.
—What special characteristics does your latest album, “Victoria” have?
—It does not mean the name of any woman, but it is the result of a life of work, of having a family, friends, fans and public: all that. My career is a great victory, undoubtedly.
—All the songs on “Victoria” are by Pablo López and since 2016 you have been working with young composers: Why?
—Precisely the times – I don’t want to use the word changed – have evolved. The world is evolving and so is the public. People like songs performed as before, as they knew them, but adding new ones. I’m not going to tell you if I know that constant evolution is good or bad, but an artist must always be adapting. At the same time he must be releasing new songs, even though he sings regarding his events.
—What do you think changed in the world of music?
—Mainly more than anything the rhythms and especially the lyrics. It is very difficult and complicated to find good texts today. Before they went deeper, they worked on them and now people are satisfied with hearing a rhythm. It’s hard to find new repertoire, but fortunately I have done so much that I don’t have that problem.
—How do you take care of your voice?
—Not neglecting her. You should not do things that might harm it, such as the cold, smoking or drinking, something I don’t do.
—Your image from the beginning was that of a performer, without bodily rigidity, something that prevailed in those years. How did you arrive at your own style?
—I was and am a different person in the sense of an artist. I always looked for a setting when I sang and sing. Dressed in a black suit and a shirt of another color.
—You were accompanying your current composer Pablo López in a reality show in Madrid (La Voz). What do you think of them?
—I read that you had to be yourself, not hide anything and things work. The public already knows what you are like and what you do. So all you have to do is behave as you are, which is what people like.
—It is said that Carlos Gardel had influenced you somewhat: is it true?
—No, what more would I want! I really liked Carlos Gardel, as I have liked other artists. What I did a few years ago was sing a duet with him, Gardel from a radio device and me live. That was three years ago, with the tango “Volver.”
—You sang with several Argentines, like with Luciano Pereyra…
—I have had the luck and pleasure of singing with many wonderful people, in this profession and in these sixty years of career.
—What is the secret to lasting?
—There is no secret, it is the vocation I have and it is what I have worked for all my life. I am dedicated body and soul to my profession and that has its reward. I have always been a very clear person, in that sense for the public. They have seen me doing well, giving my all and not sparing any effort. So year following year and then people reward him.
—What does it feel like to have a museum?
—It’s nice that people who pass by there come in for free and see all of my things, even my car (NdR: Lincoln Continental) has been there for almost a month. Additionally, my daily connection with the public results, whether through my in-person concerts, or through television, or with the museum itself.
—Several years have passed since your liver transplant: what memories did it leave you?
—From that date I have twenty years left. I experienced it with tremendous anxiety, but fortunately it was very short, since only four days passed from the time I entered the operating room and left the sanatorium. The rest of the time I spent at home. I had two months of recovery and until today I have not had any setbacks in anything. Emulating one of my most beautiful songs called “I will be born once more” and that was fulfilled.
—What was it like filming the film “Mi gran noche”, by Axel de la Iglesia (2015)?
—He is passionate regarding cinema, which is why it is a pleasure to work with Axel. That passion that he puts into everything and in that we are equal.
—Why didn’t you film once more?
—I like cinema very much, but to talk regarding making a film they would have to tell me in advance, so that I can. I have to balance my recital schedule, which is tremendous. Staying two months filming is a long time and nowadays we are all a little short on time, it’s not like before. But the day they give me a script that I really like, like I liked Axel de la Iglesia, I will make room, whatever it takes to be able to do it. I’m not retired from cinema.
—Pedro Almodóvar never summoned you?
—No, but there was one time we talked to do some tests for something that he wanted to do, but we didn’t get to do anything. He is a wonderful director and a source of pride for all Spaniards.
—Did you receive any criticism that hurt you or hurt you in so many years?
—No, none so important that it has harmed me. On the contrary, lately the headline of the critics in my last recital in Zaragoza was: “Raphael, what planet does he come from?”
—Your tour includes different countries in Latin America: what differences do you notice with the Spanish public?
—Argentina, Peru or Colombia are not very different from Spain. I will also go to Mexico and I have a tour of the United States in October. So in all the countries that love me I feel fine, even in Russia the same thing has happened to me, fortunately. No matter where we were born, we have the same heart and the same feelings. Spain is full of Argentines, in my orchestra I have several. I always had them, I remember the first one: Waldo de los Ríos.
—Is there anything you miss especially when you go on a trip for so many months?
—My house, my people, my way of life, my friends and family. But it has to be done because if it is not done, you would stay locked up here and it is not good either. Traveling allows you to change mentalities, meet people who may not have your way of thinking and yet, they like you the same. The pandemic caught me in Colombia, where they ordered me to take the first plane. And I returned to Spain just when the pandemic began. I was locked up for months, but since I can’t sit still, I took advantage of them to record the albums.
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#Raphael #dedicated #body #soul
