Néstor Mesta Cháyres
Also known asNestor Chaires
Born(1908-02-26)February 26, 1908
Ciudad Lerdo,
 Mexico
DiedJune 29, 1971(1971-06-29) (aged 63)
Mexico City, Mexico
GenresOpera, Bolero, Vocalist
Occupation(s)Lyric Tenor
Years active1929–1970
WebsiteNestor Mesta Chayres on worldcat.org and imdb.com

Néstor Mesta Cháyres (aka Nestor Chaires, Ciudad Lerdo, February 26, 1908 - Mexico City, June 29, 1971) was an acclaimed tenor in Mexico and a noted interpreter of Spanish songs, boleros and Mexican romantic music on the international concert stage. He was widely commended for his artistic renditions of the works of Agustín Lara and María Grever and was nicknamed "El Gitano de México".[1][2]

External audio
audio icon You may listen to Néstor Mesta Cháyres performing Agustin Lara's bolero Granada with Alfredo Antonini and John Serry Sr. in 1946 here

Biography

Néstor Mesta Cháyres was born to Florentino Mesta and Juana Cháyres in a family which included six additional children: Juanita, María Luisa, Herminia, Óscar, Jesús and Margarita in the city of Lerdo, Mexico. His initial studies in music were provided by a local teacher and an organist at the parish church. Even as a child he showed promise as an operatic singer.[3] In his youth, he was also known to sing to a recording of Caro Nome from Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto. While still in high school, he exhibited an exceptional vocal aptitude which earned him several awards. After the death of his father in 1925, he earned a scholarship to the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City. His studies included instructions in music theory, harmony, counterpoint, and voice with Lambert Castañeros - who had performed at La Scala in Milan, Italy.[4]

Néstor's professional career began in the artistic center of the Mexican capital in 1929 performing songs of Jorge del Moral and Agustín Lara at the Bolivár Amphitheater at the National Preparatory School. Soon he achieved success on the radio station X.E.B. in Mexico City, where he continued to perform for four years. By 1933 he launched a concert tour with the pianist Jorge del Moral to Havana, Cuba where he performed the waltz Divina Mujer at various theaters. He also appeared in three gala concerts for the President of the Republic during his two-month tour on the island. After returning to Mexico City in 1934, he also recorded several songs including Morena (Jorge del Moral).[4]

Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City Bellas Artes 01

By the early 1940s, Cháyres had achieved extensive notoriety throughout Mexico. He soon collaborated with the Sypmphony Orchestra of Mexico in a concert at the prestigious Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City in 1943. This set the stage for Néstor's debut in New York City on the radio for WABC under the direction of Andre Kostelanetz and a subsequent concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra.[5][6][7][8] As a distinguished opera vocalist, Chayres was also invited by the CBS network to collaborate with the contralto Tona la Negra and Andre Kostelanetz conducting the Mexican Symphony Orchestra in a special Easter Sunday broadcast as supervised by the OIAA (Office of Inter-American Affairs) of the United States Department of State.[9] In the early 1940s he also concertized regularly at the Havana Madrid night club in New York to the acclaim of critics.[10][11]

Cháyres joined the staff at the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS Radio) in 1943 under the musical direction of Alfredo Antonini as a featured soloist on the radio program Viva América while collaborating with the accordionist John Serry Sr.[12][13] and the vocalist Manolita Arriola. [14] He continued to collaborate with Antonini on additional live radio broadcasts for Voice of America and the Department of State's Office of International Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs in subsequent years.[15][16][17][18] These performances were also broadcast overseas for the benefit of the members of America's armed forces personnel during World War II [19] In addition, they helped to introduce Latin American music and the Mexican bolero to large audiences throughout the United States during the 1940s.[20] Several recordings of boleros were also produced in collaboration with Antonini and his orchestra during this time on Decca Records including: Noche de Ronda (23770 B) and Granada (23770 A).[21] His recordings in both North and South America for RCA Victor from this period featured collaborations with the Orquesta Radio Caracas and the Orquesta Gonzalo Cervera.[22][23] They included: Princesita ( # 90-0595-A), Todo Mi Ser (# 90-0595-B), Manolete (# 23-0853-A) and Silverio (#20-0853-B).[24]

Carnegie Hall, New York City Carnegie-hall-isaac-stern

Néstor also performed regularly on the NBC radio network during this time. He first concertized at the historic Town Hall in New York City in 1945 and returned for a repeat performance three years later.[25] Subsequently, he collaborated once again with Alfredo Antonini conducting the New York Philharmonic for a gala Night of the Americas concert at Carnegie Hall in 1946.[2][26][27][12]

Based upon these achievements, an extensive array of international concerts emerged which included an appearance with the Montreal Philharmonic Orchestra in Canada in 1946.[28] While concertizing in South America he performed in Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina. He also returned to Mexico to perform for President Miguel Alemán Valdés in 1947. In 1949 he joined forces with the Chicago Opera House and concertized throughout Europe in France, Sweden, Holland, Norway, Denmark, England and Spain.[29][30] During this time Chayres was represented by the prestigious impresario Sol Hurok[31] In Madrid, he performed the Seven Songs of Manuel de Falla to great acclaim. His final tour in the United States and Canada was completed in 1950. Upon returning to Mexico City, he married his wife Peggy Satanon who "discovered" Cháyres during a recital at the Palace of Fine Arts.[2]

In 1951, Néstor's artistic career was interrupted by the tragic death of his mother in an automobile accident. Cháyres suspended his concert appearances for over ten years but did appear in the movie Cuando me vaya in 1954 in collaboration with the such as actors as Libertad Lamarque, Miguel Torruco, Julián de Meriche and fellow vocalists Juan Arvizu and Alfonso Ortiz Tirado.[32][33][34] This film biography of the Mexican songwriter María Grever earned two Ariel Awards in Mexico in 1955.[35] He returned to television in 1968 for an appearance in the Paco Malgesto Hour and in 1969 on The Golden Hour of the W. His final appearance on television occurred in 1970 on the show 24 Hours.[4]

Performance style

External images
image icon Photograph of Nestor Chayres for "Viva America" on CBS Radio in 1946
Here on Getty images
image icon Photograph of Nestor Chayres and Manolita Arriola for "Viva America" on CBS Radio in 1946
Here on Getty Images

During the course of his professional career, critics in Billboard magazine applauded Néstor Mesta Cháyres for a powerful, exciting and dramatic delivery which pleased his audiences.[36][37] He was also commended for the warmth and tenderness of his renditions.[38] Critics also took note of his fine and full tenor voice and his capacity to interpret Mexican-gypsy folk melodies with fire and passion.[39][22] His powerful voice and expansive vocal range could even be heard outside the theater and often moved his audiences to tears.[40]

Néstor Mesta Cháyres' artistic interpretations of such songs as Murcia, Toledo, Clavel Sevilliano, Granda and the Suite Español by Agustín Lara earned him the beloved title - "El Gitano de Mexico" ("The Gyspy of Mexico").[41] He was often compared favorably to the outstanding lyric tenors of his time including: Juan Arvizu, Luise G. Roldán and Alfonso Ortiz Tirado and Tito Schipa.[2][42][1]

Death

Néstor Mesta Cháyres passed away during 1971 in Mexico City after suffering a heart attack at the age of 63. His musical legacy includes an extensive collection of recordings of the works of Agustín Lara and María Grever.[43]

Discography

External audio
audio icon You may listen to Néstor Mesta Cháyres performing Augustin Lara's bolero Noche de Ronda with the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra in 1946 here

Albums

Singles

External audio
audio icon You may listen to Néstor Mesta Cháyres performing Maria Grever's bolero Todo Mi Ser and Princesita by M. E. Palomero with the Isidor Handler Orchestra in 1947 here
External audio
audio icon You may listen to Néstor Mesta Cháyres performing the paso doble Manolete by Manuel Alvarez Maciste with the Orquesta de la Radio Caracas in 194? here
External audio
audio icon You may listen to Néstor Mesta Cháyres performing Augustin Lara's bolero "Silverio'" with the Orquesta de la Radio Caracas in 1947 here

Filmography

Bibliography

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Biographies - Egly Hill Marin First - Nestor Mesta Chayres - Méjico Biography of Nestor Mesta Chayres by Egly Colina Marín oneglycolinamarinprimera.blogspot.com(in Spanish)
  2. ^ a b c d "Biography: Néstor Mesta Cháyres". www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx (in Mexican Spanish). El Siglo de Torréon. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  3. ^ Nestor Mesta Chayres Biography - Chayres as a young promising operatic singer in "The Encyclopedia of Latin American Music in New York". Figueroa, Frank M. Pillar Publications, St. Petersburg, FL. September 1, 1994, p. 80 on https://books.google.com
  4. ^ a b c El Siglo de Torréon - Néstor Mesta Cháyres Biography on elsiglodetorreon.com(in Spanish)
  5. ^ Andre Kostelanetz On Records and On the Air - A Discography and Radio Log North, James A. The Scarecrow Press Inc. Lanham, UK, 2011 p. 341 ISBN 978-0-8108-7732-0 Nestor Chayres performs with Andre Kostelanetz in "The Pause That Refreshes on the Air" on WABC 11/29/1943 on https://books.google.com
  6. ^ The Billboard - In Short - Mexico City - Nestor Chayres and Andre Kostelanetz The Billboard, January 1, 1944 p. 23
  7. ^ Music of the Two Americas - The pause that refreshes on the air - CBS Radio broadcasts by Andre Kostelanetz including Néstor Chayres in 1943 on worldcat.org
  8. ^ On the air: plus Gypsy Songs - radio broadcast by Andre Kostelanetz Orchestra with Néstor Chayres and Ethel Smith (1946) on worldcat.org
  9. ^ Nestor Mesta Chayres - mexican opera singer with contralto Tona La Negra, conductor Andre Kostelanetz and the Mexican Symphony Orchestra in "Media, Sound and Culture in Latin America and the Caribbean" Editors- Alejandra Bronfman and Andrew Grant Wood. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, 2012, p. 51 ISBN 978-0-8229-6187-1 on https://books.google.com
  10. ^ The Billboard - Night Club Reviews - Havana Madrid New York - Critical review of Nestor Chaires' performance in "The Billboard" January 1, 1944 p. 20 on https://books.google.com
  11. ^ The Billboard - Night Club Reviews - Havana Madrid New York - Critical review of Nestor Chayres performance in The Billboard May 25, 1946 p. 53
  12. ^ a b Media Sound & Culture in Latin America. Editors: Bronfman, Alejanda & Wood, Andrew Grant. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 2012, Pg. 49 ISBN 978-0-8229-6187-1 Media Sound & Culture in Latin America. Editors: Bronfman, Alejanda & Wood, Andrew Grant. Nestor Mesta Chayres, Alfredo Antonini, Viva America performing for CBS on https://books.google.com
  13. ^ Nestor Chayres - Radio Caracas ORK Victor 23-0956 "Viva America" & Nestor Chayres in The Billboard October 30, 1948 p. 106 on https://books.google.com
  14. ^ Photograph of Nestor Chayres and Manolita Arriola on Viva America for CBS Radio in 1946
  15. ^ American personalities parade program no. 11: program no. 12., Department of State, Office of International Information, International Broadcasting Division, OCLC 803259289
  16. ^ Viva America] no. 79, no. 80: rhythms of the New World : program X-82 : program X-83. (in Spanish), Department of State, Office of International Information and Cultural Affairs, International Broadcasting Division, OCLC 803962437
  17. ^ Rhythms of the New World program X-91: program X-92. (in Spanish), Department of State, Office of International Information and Cultural Affairs, International Broadcasting Division, OCLC 803191246
  18. ^ Latin-American popular music series program no. 17: program no. 18. (in Spanish), Department of State, Office of International Information and Cultural Affairs, International Broadcasting Division, OCLC 803242195
  19. ^ Nestor Mesta Chayres and records of Alfredo Antonini 1949 on "The Directory of the Armed Forces Radio Service Series" Editor Harry Mackenzie. Greenwood Press, CT. 1999 p. 33 ISBN 0-313-30812-8 on https://books.google.com
  20. ^ Media Sound & Culture in Latin America. Editors: Bronfman, Alejanda & Wood, Andrew Grant. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 2012, Pg. 49 ISBN 978-0-8229-6187-1 Media Sound & Culture in Latin America. Editors: Bronfman, Alejanda & Wood, Andrew Grant. Nestor Mesta Chayres, Alfredo Antonini, CBS Latin American music on https://books.google.com
  21. ^ Archived record albums with Alfredo Antonini for Decca Records and Orchestra of the Radio Caracas, Isidor Handler for RCA Victor Records - Performances by Nestor Mesta Chayres on Archive.org
  22. ^ a b Nestor Chayres - Radio Caracas ORK Victor 23-0956 Record Review of Nestor Chayres in The Billboard October 30, 1948 p. 106 on https://books.google.com
  23. ^ "Néstor Chayres discography". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  24. ^ Archived record albums with Alfredo Antonini for Decca Records and Orchestra of the Radio Caracas, Isidor Handler for RCA Victor Records - Performances by Nestor Mesta Chayres on Archive.org
  25. ^ Critical reviews of Nestor Chayres in performance at Town Hall in Music Reporter on https://books.google.com
  26. ^ The New York Times May 12, 1946 p. 42
  27. ^ "Cataloged performances by Néstor Chayres". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  28. ^ The Billboard - Montreal Plans Big Concert Season; 1st Pulls Over 10,000 Critical review of Nestor Chayres and the Montreal Philharmonic in "The Billboard" June 29, 1946 p. 3 on https://books.google.com
  29. ^ Como artista de la Chicago Ópera House, en 1949, viaja por Europa en gira de conciertos por España, Francia, Holanda, Noruega, Suecia, Dinamarca e Inglaterra - i.e. Nestor Mesta Chayres joins the Chicago Opera House Co. in 1949 and concertizes in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and England
  30. ^ Nestor Mesta Chayres was one of the few popular artists to be represented by the office of Sol Hurok and tours countries like ...Holland, Norway, Sweden and Finland from "Biographies Egly Marin First - Nestor Mesta Chayres" on translate.google.com
  31. ^ "Nestor Mesta Chayres was one of the few popular artists to be represented by the office of Sol Hurok" from "Biographies Egly Marin First - Nestor Mesta Chayres" on translate.google.com
  32. ^ "Néstor Chaires". IMDb. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  33. ^ "Cuando me vaya", Internet Movie Database, retrieved March 26, 2019
  34. ^ a b O Gande Amor De maria Grever - Cuando me Vaya - featuring Néstor Chayres - see opening crdits on archive.org
  35. ^ Cuando me vaya - Awards on imdb.com
  36. ^ The Billboard - Night Club Reviews - Havana-Madrid, New York A Critical Review of Chaires in "The Billboard" January 1, 1944 p. 20
  37. ^ The Billboard - Night Club Reviews - Havana Madrid New York - Critical review of Nestor Chaires' performance in "The Billboard" May 25, 1946 p. 53 on https://books.google.com
  38. ^ The Billboard - Record Reviews - Nestor Chayres - (Victor 90-0595) May 24, 1947 p. 30 Princesita Record album reviewed in Billboard on https://books.google.com
  39. ^ The Billboard - Album Reviews - Nestor Chayres - Romantic Songs of Latin America Record album review in The Billboard - Alfredo Antonini conducting the Orchestra - Tenor Nestor Chayres - July 19, 1947 p. 130 on https://books.google.com
  40. ^ Bolero: Historia Documental del Bolero Mexicano (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Estudios Fonográficos. 1993. ISBN 9789686950038.
  41. ^ El Gitano de México Nestor Chayres canta a Agustín Lara y María Grever (in Spanish), Blue Moon, 2001, OCLC 806502602 (Sound recording)
  42. ^ Album Reviews - Nestor Chayres - Romantic Songs of Latin America (Decca A-507) The Billboard, July 19, 1947 p. 130 on https://books.google.com
  43. ^ "Nėstor Cháyres record albums cataloged". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  44. ^ Record album Nestor Chaires cataloged on Worldcat.org
  45. ^ Nestor Chayres Canta Record Album - Nestor Chayres performs songs of Agustín Lara with the Alfredo Mendez Orchestra on worldcat.org
  46. ^ Nestor Chayres singing romantic songs of Latin America on worldcat.org
  47. ^ The Billboard - Album Reviews - Nestor Chayres - Romantic Songs of Latin America Record album review in The Billboard - Alfredo Antonini conducting the Orchestra - Tenor Nestor Chayres - July 19, 1947 p. 130 on https://books.google.com
  48. ^ Seven Spanish Folk Songs Record Album - Néstor Cháyres with pianist Fritz Kramer performing songs by Manuel de Falla on Worldcat.org
  49. ^ Alma Mia by Maria Grever as performed by Nestor Chayres and Orquesta de Henri Rene on Worldcat.org
  50. ^ Buenas Noches Mi Amor performed by Néstor Mesta Cháyres and El Trio del Mar on archive.org
  51. ^ Néstor Cháyres performs on us.archive.org
  52. ^ Cara Piccina performed by Nestor Chayres on worldcat.org
  53. ^ Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado performed by Néstor Cháyres on archive.org
  54. ^ Cuando Vuelva A Tu Lado as performed by Nestor Mesta Chaires on archive.org
  55. ^ El Relicario by Jose Padilla as performed by Nestor Chayres and the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra on worldcat.org
  56. ^ The Billboard - Record Reviews- Latin America - Nestor Chayres - "Gitanillo" (Paso Doble) - Gitanillo Record album reviewed in The Billboard November 12, 1949 p. 116 on https://books.google.com
  57. ^ Granada - Nestor Chayres - Agustin Lara - Alfredo Antonini - Record album Granada by Agustín Lara as performed by Néstor Cháyres and the Alfredo Antonini Orcheatra on Archive.org
  58. ^ Hoy No Quisiera Vivir by Avelino Munez - as performed by Nestor Chayres and La Qrquesta Radio Caracas on worldcat.org
  59. ^ a b The Billboard - Record Reviews - Nestor Chayres - Radio Caracas ORk (Victor 23-0956) Record album review of Nestor Chayres in The Billboard October 30, 1948 p. 106
  60. ^ La Guapa by Luis Arcaraz performed by Nestor Chayres and Orquesta Gonzolo Cervera on worldvat.org
  61. ^ La Morena De me Copla by Carlos Castellano as performed by Nestor Chayres and the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra on worldcat.org
  62. ^ La Vida Castigaby A. Mucieste as performed by Nestor Chayres and orchestra on worldcat.org
  63. ^ Lamento Gitano performed by Nestor Chayres and the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra on worldcat.org
  64. ^ a b The Billboard - Record Reviews - Latin American - Nestor Chayres (Victor 23-1027) - Record review in "The Billboard" February 26, 1949 p. 118 on https://books.google.com
  65. ^ Macarena performed by Nestor Chayres and the Fidazzini Orchestra on worldcat.org
  66. ^ Manolete - Nestor Chayres - Orquesta de la Radio Caracas - Manuel Álvarez Maciste - Record Album Manolete on Archive.org
  67. ^ Biblioteca Digital Hispánica - Biblioteca Nacional De España - Ni de Día, Ni de Noche - Néstor Chayres y orquesta Néstor Cháyres performing Ni de Día, Ni de Noche - María Grever, on the National Library of Spain Digital Catalog on bdh.bne.es(in Spanish)
  68. ^ No Espero Nada De Ti by Maria Grever as performed by Nestor Chayres on worldcat.org
  69. ^ a b The Billboard - Record Reviews - Nestor Chayres - Radio Caracas Ork (Victor 23-0899) Record album review of Nestor Chayres in The Billboard September 4, 1948 p. 108 on https://books.google.com
  70. ^ Biblioteca Digital Hispánica - Biblioteca Nacional De España - Noche de Mar - Néstor Chayres y orquesta Néstor Cháyres performing Noche de Mar - José Reyna, on the National Library of Spain Digital Catalog on bdh.bne.es(in Spanish)
  71. ^ Noche de Ronda - Maria Teresa Lara/Agustín Lara - Néstor Cháyres and the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra - Record album Noche de Ronda by Agustin Lara performed by Nestor Chayres and Alfredo Antonini Orchestra on Archive.org
  72. ^ Oracion Caribe by Agustín Lara as performed by Nestor Chyares and the Alfredo Antonini Orchestra on worldcat.org
  73. ^ Por Eso Si Te Digoby Lois Blou as performed by Nestor Chayres and La Orquesta de La Radio Caracas on worldcat.org
  74. ^ Porque Te Quiero performed by Nestor Chayres and La Orquesta Gonzalo Cervera on worldcat.org
  75. ^ Princesita - Nestor Chayres - M. E. Palomero - Isidor Handler y su Orquesta - Record Album Princesita on Archive.org
  76. ^ The Billboard - Record Reviews - Nestor Chayres - (Victor 90-0595) May 24, 1947 p. 30 Princesita Record album reviewed in Billboard on https://books.google.com
  77. ^ Digital Hispánica - Biblioteca Nacional De España - Qué Me Importa - Néstor Chayres y orquesta Néstor Cháyres performing Qué Me Importa - Mario Fernàandez Porta, on the National Library of Spain Digital Catalog at bdh.bne.es(in Spanish)
  78. ^ Rayito De Luna by Chucho Navarro - as performed by Nestor Chayres and Orquesta De Henri Rene on worldcat.org
  79. ^ The Billboard - Record Reviews- Latin America - Nestor Chayres - "Rocio" (Paso Doble) - Rocio Record album reviewed in The Billboard November 12, 1949 p. 116 on https://books.google.com
  80. ^ Biblioteca Digital Hispánica - Biblioteca Nacional De España - Silverio - Néstor Chayres y orquesta Néstor Cháyres performing Silverio - Agustin Lara, on the National Library of Spain Digital Catalog at bdh.bne.es(in Spanish)
  81. ^ Silverio - Nestor Chayres - Orquesta de la Radio Caracas - Agustín Lara - Record Album Silverio on Archive.org
  82. ^ Te Espero performed by Nestor Chayres on worldcat.org
  83. ^ Todo Mi Ser - Nestor Chayres - Maria Grever - Accompaniment by the - Isidor Handler y su Orquesta - Record Album Todo Mi Ser on Archive.org
  84. ^ The Billboard - Record Reviews - Nestor Chayres - (Victor 90=0595) May 24, 1947 p. 30 Todo Mi Ser Record Album reviewed in Billboard on https://books.google.com
  85. ^ Torna Piccina performed by Nestor Chayres on worldcat.org
  86. ^ Tu Valsecito by Francisco Flores as performed by Nestor Chayres on worldcat.org
  87. ^ Tus Lindos Ojos by Luis Alvarez performed by Nestor Chayres on worldcat.org
  88. ^ Néstor Chaires on imdb.com
  89. ^ Cuando Me Vaya on imdb.com
  90. ^ O Grande Amor De María Grever 1954 Leg Biographical film of María Grever featuring a performance by Nestor Mesta Chayres
  91. ^ Néstor Chayres Biography on https://books.google.com

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