Lavapiés in Madrid, Spain — Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula)
Agustin Lara
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2022
1. Agustin Lara Marker - right panel
Autor del celebre schotis "Madrid” y de las canciones
"Madrid" “Valencia” "Sevilla” “Navarra” “Murcia” “Granada”
(English translation:)
Distinguished Mexican composer who sang to Spain before meeting her.
Author of the famous schotis "Madrid” and of the songs "Madrid", “Valencia”,"Sevilla”, “Navarra”, “Murcia”, and “Granada”.
Erected 1975.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is October 30, 1897.
Location. 40° 24.484′ N, 3° 42.211′ W. Marker is in Madrid. It is in Lavapiés. Marker is at the intersection of Calle del Sombrerete and Plaza de Agustín Lara, on the left when traveling west on Calle del Sombrerete. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Madrid 28012, Spain. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Isaac Albéniz (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Manolo Tena (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Eloy Gonzalo (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Timoteo Pérez Rubio (approx. half a kilometer away); Antonia Merce (approx. half a kilometer away);
this page online
Regarding Agustin Lara. “Schotis”, also sometimes rendered in Spanish as “Chotis”, is translated into English as “Schotis”, or sometimes as “Schottische”, which comes from the German word for “Scottish”. If that does not clear things up, well, it’s a slow polka.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Agustín Lara (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Ángel Agustín María Carlos Fausto Mariano Alfonso del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Lara y Aguirre del Pino (October 30, 1897 – November 6, 1970),known as Agustín Lara, was a Mexican composer and performer of songs and boleros. He is recognized as one of the most popular songwriters of his era. His work was widely appreciated not only in Mexico but also in Central and South America, the Caribbean and Spain. After his death, he has also been recognized in the United States, Italy and Japan.(Submitted on December 22, 2022.)
2. Lola Flores y Agustín Lara: “Madrid” (YouTube, 3 min.). ‘The chotis "Madrid", by the Mexican composer, Agustín Lara, as interpreted by Lola Flores and its author.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2022
2. Agustin Lara Statue with front and right panels
3. 1975 Homenaje en Madrid al compositor mexicano Agustín Lara. (YouTube, 1.5 min.). A video clip of the May, 1975 inaugural festivities for the statue and marker, showing a full plaza, with music and dancing. The marker itself appears briefly 46 seconds in. In Spanish. The video would also seem to indicate that the statue’s original location within the plaza is not the same as today, as the background buildings are different. (Submitted on December 22, 2022.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2022
3. Agustin Lara Marker - front panel
[Snippets of lyrics from “Madrid” - see link] - A tribute from Spain and Mexico to the great musician poet.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2022
4. Agustin Lara Marker - left panel
XEW (a radio station), “the voice of Latin America from Mexico”.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2022
5. Agustin Lara Statue
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2022
6. Agustin Lara Statue - wide view
“In the Plaza de Arturo Barea, formerly known as the Plaza de Agustín Lara, stands a monument to the Mexican composer of the same name. In love with Spain, the recognition in the capital comes because he was the author of the chotis Madrid, premiered in 1946 and which has become almost an anthem of our city. The bronze statue was made by the Mexican sculptor Humberto Peraza y Ojeda. The pedestal was made in Spain. The monument was officially inaugurated on 13 May 1975. It stands at the foot of the ruins of the Escuelas Pías de San Fernando.” - Antonio Castro Jiménez, Chronicler of the City of Madrid
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 21, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 22, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
