Cuba mourns passing in Mexico of artist Ramón Calzadilla

The National Council of the Performing Arts mourned the passing of the renowned Cuban baritone Ramón Calzadilla, at the age of 90, in Mexico, the country where he lived, the Cubaescena website reported Sunday.

Born in Havana, the Calzadilla began musical studies at the Hubert de Blanck Conservatory, where he received singing classes with the Ukrainian mezzo-soprano María Pissarewskaya.

He later studied specialization in opera and concert song at the Academy of Santa Cecilia, in Rome, with professor Giorgio Favaretto, and at the Ciprian Porumbescu conservatory, in Bucharest, with professor Martha Joja.

Calzadilla was one of the most famous Cuban baritones with a long career on stage, with successful work at opera theaters and concert halls in Cuba, as well as in different nations including Canada, the United States, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain and Mexico.

From 1960 to 1980 he joined the cast of the Cuban National Opera as a Baritone soloist and from 1980 to 1991 he joined the Concert Music group, Cubaescena recalls.

Regarding his work, critics have pointed out that Ramón Calzadilla “gave evidence of possessing remarkable musical mastery, a good vocal technique. He conquered audiences with his perfect knowledge of musical styles, performing pieces in their original languages and with perfect diction.”