Ramona Galarza

Ramona Galarza
Ramona Modesta Onetto Galarza (15 June 1940 – 22 September 2020), most often known as Ramona Galarza, was an Argentine folk singer. She was a popular singer of chamamé and recorded over 30 albums during her career. Born in Corrientes, she later moved to Buenos Aires and became known as La Novia del Paraná. She also appeared in a number of films and was honored by the Argentine Senate.
Early life
Ramona Modesta Onetto Galarza was born on 15 June 1940 in Corrientes to Carlos Eleuterio Onetto and Mauricia Galarza. She was a soloist in the Folkloric Orchestra of Corrientes Province.
Career
Galarza was promoted by Herminio Giménez and had a small part in the 1958 film Alto Paraná by Catrano Catrani. After achieving popularity in Corrientes, Galarza moved to Buenos Aires and became known as La Novia del Paraná. At a test for a record label, she met the producer Fernando López, who she later married. She recorded her first album, Litoraleña, in 1959. It included the songs "Kilómetro 11" and "Virgencita del Río" from the film Alto Paraná, which later became staples in her repertoire. In Buenos Aires, Galarza was a renowned singer of chamamé, singing in festivals, clubs and theaters. She was considered an ambassador of música litoraleña, and appeared on radio and television programs.
During her career, Galarza recorded over 30 albums, mostly for the Odeón record label. In 1978 she released the album Los grandes del litoral with fellow Argentine singer Antonio Tarragó Ros. She also toured around the world and gave performances at many venues, including Carnegie Hall.
Later life and death
Galarza was honored by the Argentine Senate in 2008 for her cultural contributions. Her final public performance was at the 2020 Chamamé National Festival where she joined Teresa Parodi and María Ofelia on stage. She was honored with the General Jose de San Martin award.
Galarza suffered a heart attack at her home in Buenos Aires and died on 22 September 2020 at Hospital Pirovano.
Albums
Solo albums
Litoraleña (1960), Odeón LDI-402
Misionerita (1961), Odeón LDI-449
La novia del Paraná (1961), Odeón LDI-460
Brisa suave (1962), Odeón LDI-493
Alma guaraní (1962), Odeón LDI-521
Ramona Galarza (1963), Odeón DMO-55470
Río manso (1963), Odeón LDI-550
La voz del litoral (1964), Odeón LDI-228
Los grandes sucesos de Ramona Galarza y su conjunto (1966), Odeón CM 4002
Cancionero guarani (1966), Odeón LDB-75
La voz inimitable (1966), Odeón LDB-109
Noches correntinas (1967), Odeón LDB-123
Correntina (1968), Odeón LDB-156
Lunita de Taragüí (1968), Odeón CM 4064
La vestido celeste (1968), Odeón DMO-55520
Canción del adiós (1969), Odeón LDB-189
Kilómetro 11 (1969), Odeón CM 4085
Memorias De Una Vieja Canción (1970), Odeón LDB-1022
Le canta al Paraguay (1970), Odeón CM 4105
Para que no me olvides (1971), Odeón SLDB-1054
Mi provincia guarani, EMI 4342
Al Paraguay con amor, EMI 6373
Los mayores éxitos de Ramona Galarza, EMI 6635
Homenaje a Agustín Lara (1971), EMI 6829
Mi tierra litoral (1972), EMI- Odeón S911
Al amor de mi vida (1972), EMI- Odeón 51021
Retrato (1972), EMI- Odeón 53017
Pescador y guitarrero (1974), EMI 6567
Autentica (1974), EMI 6632
Ah, mi Corrientes porá (1974), EMI 6952
Grandes del Litoral, together with Tarrago Ros (1976), EMI 6274
Te damos gracias señor (1976), EMI 6316
La máxima del litoral (1980), EMI 6136
Chamamé (1986), CBS 80530
Grandes Éxitos, EMI 6494
Ramona Galarza canta a: Alberico Mansilla (compilation of her first recordings publishing in 1986), EMI 6758
Albums with other artists
Carnaval correntino, with Coco Díaz, 1968
Los Grandes del litoral Vol 1, with Tarrago Ros, 1976
Los grandes del Litoral Vol. 2, with Los Reyes del Chamamé
Correntinas, with Teresa Parodi, 1993
Correntinas II, with Teresa Parodi, 1995
Films
Alto Paraná (1958)
Buenas noches, Buenos Aires (1964)
Viaje de una noche de verano (1965)
Cosquín, amor y folklore (1965)
Ya tiene comisario el pueblo (1967)
Argentinísima (1972)
Argentinísima II (1973)
El canto cuenta su historia (1976)
Mire que es lindo mi país (1981)
References
1940 births
2020 deaths
Argentine folk singers
20th-century Argentine women singers
People from Corrientes