Viva América
Encyclopedia
Viva América was an American
musical radio program which was broadcast live over the CBS
radio network
and to South America
over the La Cadena de las Americas (Network of the Américas) during the 1940s (1942 -1949). All broadcasts of this program were supervised under the strict government supervision of the United States Department of State
and the Office for Inter-American Affairs
(OCIAA) as part of the cultural exchange initiatives authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
(via Voice of America
) during World War II
.
This imaginative program represented a unique collaboration between government and private industry during the turbulent World War II
era in an effort to foster cultural exchanges throughout the Americas. It featured live performances of the CBS Pan American Orchestra under the musical direction of the noted conductor Alfredo Antonini
. It was conceived in an effort to foster benevolent diplomatic relations throughout the Americas
during World War II
by showcasing the talents of a wide variety of respected professional musicians. In this regard, it proved to be highly successful and functioned under the direct supervision of the Department of State as a cultural exchange program (as opposed to a propaganda program). Included among the renowned soloists from both North and South America were: Juan Arvizu (the Mexican
"Tenor with the Silken Voice"); Nestor Chayres (Mexican
tenor - aka "El Gitano De México"); Eva Garza (Mexican
songstress); Terig Tucci
(Argentine
composer/arranger) and John Serry, Sr.
(an American
concert accordionist and featured soloist).
Broadcasts of this program were personally supervised by Edmund A. Chester
, Vice President at the CBS
network and Director of Latin-American Relations and Short Wave Broadcasting (1940 - 1948). Mr. Chester could often be found visiting the control room at the CBS
broadcast studios in New York City
in order to enjoy his series of live concerts and to exchange insights with his staff of musicians and recording artists. At the governmental level, they were closely monitored by the Office of Inter-American Affairs (OCIAA) under the direction of Nelson Rockefeller
and the Department of State.
The onset of the post World War II era precipitated the onset of the Cold War
and the initiation of new governmental oversight of the broadcast industry. As a consequence of these developments, exclusive control for the La Cadena de las Americas was essentially transferred to the Department of State from Voice of America in 1948. As the focal point for American foreign policy shifted away from South America
toward Europe
broadcasts of this program were terminated (circa 1949) and the broadcasting links provided to South America by the Columbia Broadcast System CBS
were eliminated..
Several historic master disk transcriptions of this program were recorded during live broadcasts and preserved on 78 RPM vinyl disks for Voice of America
. They were archived by the Department of State until the 1970s and have since passed into private collections.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musical radio program which was broadcast live over the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
radio network
Radio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
and to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
over the La Cadena de las Americas (Network of the Américas) during the 1940s (1942 -1949). All broadcasts of this program were supervised under the strict government supervision of the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
and the Office for Inter-American Affairs
Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs
The Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs was a United States agency promoting inter-American cooperation during the 1940s, especially in commercial and economic areas...
(OCIAA) as part of the cultural exchange initiatives authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
(via Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
) during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
This imaginative program represented a unique collaboration between government and private industry during the turbulent World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
era in an effort to foster cultural exchanges throughout the Americas. It featured live performances of the CBS Pan American Orchestra under the musical direction of the noted conductor Alfredo Antonini
Alfredo Antonini
Alfredo Antonini was a leading Italian/American symphony conductor and composer who was active on the international concert stage as well as on the CBS radio and television networks from the 1930s through the 1960s...
. It was conceived in an effort to foster benevolent diplomatic relations throughout the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by showcasing the talents of a wide variety of respected professional musicians. In this regard, it proved to be highly successful and functioned under the direct supervision of the Department of State as a cultural exchange program (as opposed to a propaganda program). Included among the renowned soloists from both North and South America were: Juan Arvizu (the Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
"Tenor with the Silken Voice"); Nestor Chayres (Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
tenor - aka "El Gitano De México"); Eva Garza (Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
songstress); Terig Tucci
Terig Tucci
Terig Tucci was an Argentine composer, violinist, pianist, and mandolinist.Tucci was born in Buenos Aires, in 1897. His first composition, Cariños de Madre was performed for a zarzuela at the Avenida Theatre, in 1917...
(Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
composer/arranger) and John Serry, Sr.
John Serry, Sr.
John Serry, Sr. was an accomplished concert accordionist virtuoso, arranger, composer, organist and educator who performed on the CBS Radio and CBS Television networks...
(an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
concert accordionist and featured soloist).
Broadcasts of this program were personally supervised by Edmund A. Chester
Edmund A. Chester
Edmund Albert Chester, Sr. - - was a senior Vice President and executive at the CBS radio and television networks during the 1940s...
, Vice President at the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
network and Director of Latin-American Relations and Short Wave Broadcasting (1940 - 1948). Mr. Chester could often be found visiting the control room at the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
broadcast studios in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in order to enjoy his series of live concerts and to exchange insights with his staff of musicians and recording artists. At the governmental level, they were closely monitored by the Office of Inter-American Affairs (OCIAA) under the direction of Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
and the Department of State.
The onset of the post World War II era precipitated the onset of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
and the initiation of new governmental oversight of the broadcast industry. As a consequence of these developments, exclusive control for the La Cadena de las Americas was essentially transferred to the Department of State from Voice of America in 1948. As the focal point for American foreign policy shifted away from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
toward Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
broadcasts of this program were terminated (circa 1949) and the broadcasting links provided to South America by the Columbia Broadcast System CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
were eliminated..
Several historic master disk transcriptions of this program were recorded during live broadcasts and preserved on 78 RPM vinyl disks for Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
. They were archived by the Department of State until the 1970s and have since passed into private collections.