Singer. A mezzo soprano, she is probably best remembered as the premier interpreter of the music of composer and pianist Ernesto Lecuona (1895-1963). Born Esther Borja Lima, she took to music early and in 1932 graduated from the Escuela de Musica del Centro Gallego. Around 1935 she met Lecuona who cast her in his operetta "Lola Cruz" at Havana's National Theatre, the show's big number, "Damsiella Encantadora" ("Charming Damsel"), providing both her signature piece and her everlasting nickname. Esther built a following on radio, gradually took-over some stage roles from the legendary Rita Montaner, and in 1936 made her first international tour, accompaning Lecuona and his sister Ernestina (1882-1951) to Argentina. She performed throughout the country, starred in the 1938 film feature "Adios Buenos Aires", then made acclaimed appearances in Chile, Brazil, Peru, and elsewhere. She returned to Cuba where she continued to sing operetta and zarzuela, then in 1943 made her first American tour during which she headlined in New York at both Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall. Esther gave concerts in the United States on five separate occasions, bade farewell to the operetta stage with 1953 performances in Madrid and Barcelona, cut a number of best selling albums, remained a presence on radio, and in 1961 began a 20 year gig as hostess of the television variety show "Album de Cuba". In later years a respected conservatory lecturer and competition judge, she lived out her days in Havana, in 2002 was honored with the National Music Prize, and died of the effects of advanced age. At her demise about half a dozen CD collections of her records were available.
Singer. A mezzo soprano, she is probably best remembered as the premier interpreter of the music of composer and pianist Ernesto Lecuona (1895-1963). Born Esther Borja Lima, she took to music early and in 1932 graduated from the Escuela de Musica del Centro Gallego. Around 1935 she met Lecuona who cast her in his operetta "Lola Cruz" at Havana's National Theatre, the show's big number, "Damsiella Encantadora" ("Charming Damsel"), providing both her signature piece and her everlasting nickname. Esther built a following on radio, gradually took-over some stage roles from the legendary Rita Montaner, and in 1936 made her first international tour, accompaning Lecuona and his sister Ernestina (1882-1951) to Argentina. She performed throughout the country, starred in the 1938 film feature "Adios Buenos Aires", then made acclaimed appearances in Chile, Brazil, Peru, and elsewhere. She returned to Cuba where she continued to sing operetta and zarzuela, then in 1943 made her first American tour during which she headlined in New York at both Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall. Esther gave concerts in the United States on five separate occasions, bade farewell to the operetta stage with 1953 performances in Madrid and Barcelona, cut a number of best selling albums, remained a presence on radio, and in 1961 began a 20 year gig as hostess of the television variety show "Album de Cuba". In later years a respected conservatory lecturer and competition judge, she lived out her days in Havana, in 2002 was honored with the National Music Prize, and died of the effects of advanced age. At her demise about half a dozen CD collections of her records were available.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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