Omar Franco
Encyclopedia
Omar Franco, Dominican singer and composer, was born a June 11 in the town of Castañuelas, in the province of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic
, but spends most of his childhood, reaching adulthood, in the city of La Vega.
, but little later he stopped the studies in order to engage in artistic career.
Later he participated in the “V Festival de la Canción Dominicana”, celebrated by AMUCABA (Association of musicians, singers, dancers and speakers) at the “Palacio de Bellas Artes” of Santo Domingo
, in November 1972, with the song composed by him Por Ti. On that opportunity he won three awards: third place as the composer of the song "Por Ti," third place as the interpreter of it, and “The Revelation” of the Festival. That song was recorded by Omar at LP Festival finalists and later by the Puerto Rican singer Carmita Jiménez. After the Festival, the city of La Vega gave him a recognition that declares “Adopted Son” of the city. Thereafter he began to appearing on various programs of Dominican television.
In 1973 and 1975, he participated in the second and third “Festival International de la Canción y de la Voz” of Puerto Rico
, respectively, being among the finalists.
He took singing lessons with the teacher and lyric soprano Olga Azar, at the “Conservatorio Nacional de Música”. This allowed him to play the character of Gastone in the opera "La Traviata
by Giuseppe Verdi
, when that work, conduced by Maestro Carlos Piantini, was presented at the Teatro Nacional Dominicano
in 1977.
Victor in Mexico
. That same year he participated in the eighth edition of the International Festival of the OTI, the OTI 1979, in Caracas, Venezuela
.
In February of 1982, he won the award as “Best Performer”, with the song composed by Leonor Porcella de Brea "Ven y abrázame," which took nine place in the "Octavo
Festival de la Canción Dominicana" (Eight Dominican Song Festival) of AMUCABA, held at the “Teatro Nacional” (National Theater).
In May 1982, Omar Franco and Taty Salas, another Dominican singer, participated in the musical show called “El Show de Las Flores”, with the famous Spanish singuers: Lola Flores, Lolita Flores, Carmen Flores and Carmen Sevilla.
In August 1982, he performed with the singer Luchy Vicioso in the show called “Noche Dominicana”, at the amphitheater at “Altos de Chavón
”, La Romana, Dominican Republic.
In December 1982, he was one of the lead vocalists in the Spanish version of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar
, at the Teatro Nacional, playing the rol of Jesus Christ in it. The play was revived in March 1983.
In February 1983, he won the prize “El Dorado”, as male singer, in his country, Dominican Republic, for his merits accumulated in 1982.
In April 1983, he sang in the television show “Siempre en Domingo”, of the famous Mexican producer Raul Velasco, when this program was broadcast from the amphitheater at Altos de Chavón in Dominican Republic.
In May 1983, he appeared, among other artists, in the show in honor to the television program "Santo Domingo Invita," at the Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden
, New York.
In November 1983, he participated again in the TV show “Siempre en Domingo”, this time in Televisa
, Mexico.
In 1986, the “Premios Casandra” (Casandra Awards) rewarded the record production "Dos Estrellas Omar y Taty a Medianoche, which was recorded as a duet with Taty Salas in 1985, with the prize “Carátula del Año” (Cover of the Year).
On February 22, 2011, ACROARTE makes it a recognition of his career in the Dominican romantic music in the Gala of Nominations of the Casandra Awards 2011.
As an actor, he played two stellar roles in the play-musical "Amor a Primera Vista" (Love at First Sight), work written and produced by Edgar Contreras, directed by Bienvenido Miranda and which was staged at the Teatro Nacional in April 1986, with the participation of some 30 actors and an orchestra of 10 musicians, conducted by Manuel Tejada.
He was also part of the musical show "Imagen y Sonido de Broadway (Image and Sound of Broadway), at the Teatro Nacional , in July of 1998, with over 100 performers, including singers, dancers and an orchestra of over than 60 musicians under the production and management Amaury Sánchez, Carlos Veitía’s choreography, the artistic direction of Eduardo Villanueva and Luis José Mella as special guest orchestral director.
and music by Ricardo Bello; "José Francisco Eterno" (A tribute to José Francisco Peña Gómez
, which took place in 1999), with the song "La Gloria no tiene final."
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, but spends most of his childhood, reaching adulthood, in the city of La Vega.
Beginnings
Omar Franco began in the song when he won first place in the “Primer Festival de la Voz Vegana” (First Festival of Vegan Voice), in La Vega, in 1971. Then he joined the orchestra of Rafelito Martinez, as a singer of boleros. Then he was studying the first year at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo DomingoUniversidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo is the public university system in the Dominican Republic with its main campus in Santo Domingo and regional centers across the Republic...
, but little later he stopped the studies in order to engage in artistic career.
Later he participated in the “V Festival de la Canción Dominicana”, celebrated by AMUCABA (Association of musicians, singers, dancers and speakers) at the “Palacio de Bellas Artes” of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, in November 1972, with the song composed by him Por Ti. On that opportunity he won three awards: third place as the composer of the song "Por Ti," third place as the interpreter of it, and “The Revelation” of the Festival. That song was recorded by Omar at LP Festival finalists and later by the Puerto Rican singer Carmita Jiménez. After the Festival, the city of La Vega gave him a recognition that declares “Adopted Son” of the city. Thereafter he began to appearing on various programs of Dominican television.
In 1973 and 1975, he participated in the second and third “Festival International de la Canción y de la Voz” of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, respectively, being among the finalists.
He took singing lessons with the teacher and lyric soprano Olga Azar, at the “Conservatorio Nacional de Música”. This allowed him to play the character of Gastone in the opera "La Traviata
La traviata
La traviata is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on La dame aux Camélias , a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The title La traviata means literally The Fallen Woman, or perhaps more figuratively, The Woman...
by Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
, when that work, conduced by Maestro Carlos Piantini, was presented at the Teatro Nacional Dominicano
Teatro Nacional (Santo Domingo)
The Teatro Nacional is part of the Plaza de la Cultura complex, located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The theatre is the center piece of the complex and is surrounded by several museums and cultural institutions...
in 1977.
Career
In 1979, he recorded his first LP on RCARCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
Victor in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. That same year he participated in the eighth edition of the International Festival of the OTI, the OTI 1979, in Caracas, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
In February of 1982, he won the award as “Best Performer”, with the song composed by Leonor Porcella de Brea "Ven y abrázame," which took nine place in the "Octavo
Festival de la Canción Dominicana" (Eight Dominican Song Festival) of AMUCABA, held at the “Teatro Nacional” (National Theater).
In May 1982, Omar Franco and Taty Salas, another Dominican singer, participated in the musical show called “El Show de Las Flores”, with the famous Spanish singuers: Lola Flores, Lolita Flores, Carmen Flores and Carmen Sevilla.
In August 1982, he performed with the singer Luchy Vicioso in the show called “Noche Dominicana”, at the amphitheater at “Altos de Chavón
Altos de Chavón
The biggest attraction in La Romana, Dominican Republic, is Altos de Chavón, a re-creation of a medieval European village conceived from the imagination of Roberto Copa, a former Paramount Studios set designer, and Charles Bluhdorn....
”, La Romana, Dominican Republic.
In December 1982, he was one of the lead vocalists in the Spanish version of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
, at the Teatro Nacional, playing the rol of Jesus Christ in it. The play was revived in March 1983.
In February 1983, he won the prize “El Dorado”, as male singer, in his country, Dominican Republic, for his merits accumulated in 1982.
In April 1983, he sang in the television show “Siempre en Domingo”, of the famous Mexican producer Raul Velasco, when this program was broadcast from the amphitheater at Altos de Chavón in Dominican Republic.
In May 1983, he appeared, among other artists, in the show in honor to the television program "Santo Domingo Invita," at the Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, New York.
In November 1983, he participated again in the TV show “Siempre en Domingo”, this time in Televisa
Televisa
Televisa is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate, the largest mass media company in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a major international entertainment business, with much of its programming airing in the United States on Univision, with which it has an exclusive contract...
, Mexico.
In 1986, the “Premios Casandra” (Casandra Awards) rewarded the record production "Dos Estrellas Omar y Taty a Medianoche, which was recorded as a duet with Taty Salas in 1985, with the prize “Carátula del Año” (Cover of the Year).
On February 22, 2011, ACROARTE makes it a recognition of his career in the Dominican romantic music in the Gala of Nominations of the Casandra Awards 2011.
As an actor, he played two stellar roles in the play-musical "Amor a Primera Vista" (Love at First Sight), work written and produced by Edgar Contreras, directed by Bienvenido Miranda and which was staged at the Teatro Nacional in April 1986, with the participation of some 30 actors and an orchestra of 10 musicians, conducted by Manuel Tejada.
He was also part of the musical show "Imagen y Sonido de Broadway (Image and Sound of Broadway), at the Teatro Nacional , in July of 1998, with over 100 performers, including singers, dancers and an orchestra of over than 60 musicians under the production and management Amaury Sánchez, Carlos Veitía’s choreography, the artistic direction of Eduardo Villanueva and Luis José Mella as special guest orchestral director.
Collaborations
Besides their commercial records, he has collaborated in diverse anthological recordings of the Dominican Republic music, such as: "Homenaje a la Canción Romántica Dominicana-40 Aniversario, Banco de Reservas de la República Dominicana (1981), which includes the songs: "Tú me haces falta," by Armando Cabrera, and "Amorosa", by Salvador Sturla; "La Música de sus Versos, Joaquín Balaguer " (September 1986), with the song "El pasado," whose lyrics are by Joaquín BalaguerJoaquín Balaguer
Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo was the President of the Dominican Republic from 1960 to 1962, from 1966 to 1978, and again from 1986 to 1996.-Early life and introduction to politics:...
and music by Ricardo Bello; "José Francisco Eterno" (A tribute to José Francisco Peña Gómez
José Francisco Peña Gómez
José Francisco Peña Gómez was a politician from the Dominican Republic. He was the leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party , a three-time candidate for president of the Dominican Republic and former Mayor of Santo Domingo...
, which took place in 1999), with the song "La Gloria no tiene final."
Awards and recognitions
- El Dorado (1982)
- El Gordo del Año (1983)
- Premiación de Santiago - La Cotorra (1985)
- El Disco del Año (1985)
- Premios Casandra -Carátula del Año (1986)
- Premios Casandra -Recognition of his artistic career (22-2-2011)
Albums
- "Mis años con ella" (1979) (RCA - Mexico)
- "Ven y abrázame" (1982) (Bartolo I-RD / Alhambra - U.S.)
- "Dos Estrellas Omar y Taty a Medianoche" (1985) (Sonidiscos - RD / Taurus Sound - U.S.)
- "El mejor amor" (1987) (INEN - RD / Taurus Sound - U.S.)
- "Omar Franco Otra Vez" (2009) (Akropolis Records - RD)
Singles
- "Por ti" (1972) (AMUCABA)
- "Le di mi amor a cualquiera" (1975) (Borinquen)
- "Perdona la franqueza" (1975) (Borinquen)
- "Imagínate" (1976) (Borinquen)
- "Lléname los días" (1978) (Bartolo I - RD / RCA - Mexico)
- "Mis años con ella" (1979) (Bartolo I - RD / RCA - Mexico)
- "Sed" (1981) (Akropolis Records - RD)
- "Ven y abrázame" (1982) (Bartolo I - RD)
- "Qué más pides de mí" (1983) (Bartolo I - RD)
- "Gloria o infierno" (1983) (Bartolo I - RD / Alhambra - U.S.)
- "Mejor vete con el otro" (1983) (Bartolo I - RD)
Compilations
- "Omar Franco Exitos vol. 1" (1998) (Akropolis Records - RD)
- "Lo mejor de Omar Franco" (2001) (Akropolis Records - RD)
External links
- Listín Diario Digital Califican buenos y malos cantantes dominicanos
- YouTube - Omar Franco Otra Vez - CD - promocional video