Religion Catholic Died September 1973 Name Maestro Ortega | Children None Spouse(s) Fabiola Pelaez Perez | |
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Parents Don Aurelio Ortega Castaneda | ||
Clase con el maestro armando ortega orozco eia 1
Maestro Armando Manuel Aurelio Ortega Carrillo was Director of Coro de la Escuela Secundaria y de Bachilleres de Orizaba (ESBO). His maternal great grandfather was the philanthropist Don Manuel Carrillo Tablas, who served as mayor of Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico many times. His maternal grandfather (Manuel Carrillo Iturriaga) was also a member of the Mexican Legislature at the turn of the 20th century. His paternal grandfather was the illustrious Professor Don Aurelio Ortega y Placeres, considered one of the most brilliant educators of public instruction the state of Veracuz, Mexico produced. His father was the renowned poet and educator, Professor Don Aurelio Ortega Castañeda, who baptized the city of Orizaba with the title of "Nuestra Señora de los Puentes"("Our Lady of the bridges").
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Early life
Maestro Armando Manuel Aurelio Ortega Carrillo was born into one of the great families of Spain and the New World. He was a brilliant, very cultured and educated man. From a young age he exhibited enormous artistic and musical talent At the age of 14 he was already known for his music ability and compositions. As his talents became known, he went to study with the Jesuit Fathers in nearby Puebla and then at a boarding school in San Luis Potosí, and then in Mexico City with the Marist Fathers. Part of his formation also included studying under the Maestros Ramón Noble and Uberto Zanolli. He wrote some of the most beautiful poems in the valley of Orizaba and was often sought out to compose some for important events and ceremonies.
Career
He was a brilliant, very cultured and educated man. More than this, he was an artist. To his students he imparted his gift and knowledge of music and would explain in great detail the significance of the symphonies of Beethoven and Mozart.
A large collection of his works have been donated to the City of Orizaba and are housed in the Archives of the City's Cultural Center. Some of his great works include sacred music: Agnus Dei, Pater Noster, Salve Regina, Sanctus, Gloria, Aleluya, the musicals: El Establo, Madrigal Nupcial; his opera/ballet: Esperanza (La Quinceañera), the opera Eugenia Op.3; his ballet: the birth of Venus, the musical comedy: La Portera; Balada de las Violetas y baladas de los Jazmines to name of few.
Many of his works were performed by the stars of his age: the tenor Raphael J. Sevilla, the first ballet dancer Luis Mauricio Caracas, the singer Betty Fabila, Maestro Ramón Noble, the Baritone Fernando Vivanco Barceló, and performances from the Maestro himself, who had a wonderful voice too.
Maestro Armando Aurelio was also known for his drawings and paintings of his beloved Orizaba, Veracruz. His father, the distinguished poet and teacher Don Aurelio Ortega Castañeda was an obvious influence on Maestro Armando.
On the 13 of August 2008 the Maestro was honored for his contributions to Mexican culture and the arts at the Teatro de la Llave in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.
Selective Works
Operas: Las Golondrinas; La Vengadora (1952); Eugenia (1954); Sombras (1958); Esperanza (La Quinceñera) (1968). Ballets: El Nacimiento de Venus (1958); Ruinas; Idilio de las Libélulas (1962), En el Establo, for soloists, narrator, 2 trumpets, percussion, organ, guitars, and string orchestra (1972); Ahauializápan, for reciter, tenor, mixed chorus, actress, piano, percussion, and string orchestra (1973). Chamber music; large number of songs; choruses.
Death
As with many talented artist, Maestro Armando's life was cut short at the age of 36. His faithful mother Doña Guadalupe María Carrillo Limón viuda de Ortega and niece Norma Alicia María Arenas Ortega (now a carmelite cloistered nun: Sr. Teresita del Niño Jesús y de la Sta. Faz) were at his bedside when he passed. He was reentered in the city's cemetery, in the family plot in 2008 following a citywide ceremonial event.