QUÉ FUE DE…MANUEL ESPERÓN EXTRAORDINARIO MÚSICO Y COMPOSITOR DEL CINE DE ORO, CREADOR DE AMORCITO ❤️
Manuel Esperón: A Pioneer of Mexican Music
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
- Manuel Esperón, a key figure in the internationalization of popular ranchera music, was born on August 3, 1911, in Mexico City.
- His father, Manuel Esperón Alcalá, was from Oaxaca and descended from the notable composer Macedonio Alcalá. His mother, Raquel González Cantú, had French roots and instilled a love for music in him by teaching piano at an early age.
- Although he studied various arts like drawing and sculpture at the Academy of San Carlos, he had to abandon them due to physical limitations affecting his piano playing.
Education and Entry into Film
- After a brief stint studying engineering at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, he enrolled in a music school that later became part of the National School of Fine Arts.
- His first exposure to cinema came while working with silent film variety acts; he joined the artistic caravan of Los Hermanos Soler in 1929.
Career Development as Composer
- Esperón's career as a film composer began with "La mujer del puerto" (1933), leading him to create background music for 626 films and compose 947 songs throughout his career.
- He played a significant role during the golden age of Mexican cinema by composing numerous songs for ranchera comedies such as "Allá en el Bajío" (1941) and "Mi Lupe y mi caballo" (1942).
Contributions to Mariachi Music
- Notably introduced mariachi bands into films; he encouraged musicians to study music formally.
- Composed iconic pieces for major stars like Pedro Infante ("Amorcito corazón") and Jorge Negrete ("Jalisco no te rajes"), showcasing his versatility across genres.
Legacy and Later Years
- Esperón also contributed to Hollywood productions through collaborations with MGM, Paramount, and Disney. He won Ariel awards for his compositions in "Canta claro" (1945) and "Cuando me vaya" (1953).