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