Alfonso Ortiz Tirado
Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado’s musical ability was apparent at a young age, but he was torn between two passions: medicine and music. Born in Álamos January 24, 1893, he and his family left the “pueblo mágico” during his early years. Living in Mexico City, his studies centered both in the fields of science and music, and he was accepted into the National University’s School of Medicine—graduating in 1919 with a speciality in gynecology and general medicine. While serving his internship with Mercy Hospital in Denver, CO, he traveled to New York City to make his opera debut in a work by the French composer Jules Massanet. His vocal success led to roles in “Elixir de Amor” and “Madame Butterfly” and a successful career singing in the major opera houses of the world.
But he was first a physician. He was the primary doctor of artist Frida Kahlo, and he performed surgery on singer Augustín Lara, the one-time husband of María Félix. As fame and wealth accumulated from his success in both music and medicine, he used his money and influence to establish a children’s hospital in Mexico City and later clinics in central America. He “made a difference” in the field of medicine and philanthropy, just as he did in the field of music. In 1960, at the age of 67, he passed away and was buried in Mexico City.
In 1984, on the anniversary of his birth (January 24), Álamos paid tribute to its native son with a one-day festival of music in the auditorium of the newly established Museo Costumbriste de Sonora. About 100 people attended that first event, with music provided by the local community; but the next year it grew larger, and soon invitation were sent to musicians across Sonora and Mexico. In 1989 the event moved to the Álamos City Hall, and by 1991 the event covered five days. The festival had become larger than anyone could have imagined!
In 2016 Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado celebrated its 32th Anniversary with the Medal of Honor going to baritone/bass Guillermo Ruiz. It has become a premier event for classical musicians around the world, and featured in the festival were musicians from latin America, and United States, and Europe. The international event also attracts top talent from Mexico, and more than 50,000 visitors travel to Álamos for the eight-day event.
Below are pictures of selected performances during FAOT 32, held January 22 - 30, 2016, and FAOT 33, held January 20 - 28, 2017
El Callejón del Templo
Orquesta Sinfónica de Sonora: Joshua Bavaro, director
la Cantanta Sinfónica Carmina Burana De Carl Orff
January 29, 2016
photos©Errol Zimmerman
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el Palacio Municipal
Paul Potts, tenor, and Ariadne Montijo, soprano
January 27, 2017
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la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción
Luis Castillo y Jocelyn Salas
January 23, 2017
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el Palacio Municipal
Kostiantyn Andreiev, tenor, and Vadim Chernigovsky, bass
accompanied by Emmanuel Sabás
January 29, 2016
Above at left is accompanist Prof. Hector Acosta. All photos©Errol Zimmerman
photos©Errol Zimmerman
GO TO:
Álamos Community Celebrations
https://alamoshistoryassociation.org/50.63.41.1/Alamos_Community_Celebrations.html
A crowd estimated at 1,500 watched the production of the Carl Orff cantata “Carmina Burana,” performed on an outdoor stage on Comercio Street. Concert director Joshua Bavaro led the Symphonic Orchestra of Sonora with a chorus composed of students and alumni of the graduate school of music at the University of Sonora, and Brett Sprague (above) was the tenor soloist. A video of “O Fortuna,” the final number in the cantanta, can been viewed from the link below:
photos©Errol Zimmerman
Bass Vadim Chernigovsky and tenor Konstiantyn Andreiev presented a program of favorite opera arias in the Friday night program, January 29, at Álamos City Hall. Accompanied by Mexican pianist Emmanuel Sabás, the program included arias from Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, and Bizet. Click on the link below to see a video of Vadim Chernigovsky singing “Votre toast” from Bizet’s “Carmen.”
Vadim Chernigovsky
Kostiantyn Andreiev
Paul Potts surged to international fame when he won "Britain's Got Talent" in 2007, and his concert at the Ortiz Tirado International Music Festival in Alamos, Son., Mexico in January, 2017, included local Sonora soprano Ariadne Montijo.
Luis Castillo and Jocelyn Salas sing the aria "La ci darem la Mano" from Mozart's Don Giovanni during a performance at the Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado in Álamos, Son., México, on January 23, 2017.
Luis Castillo and Jocelyn Salas
