Ricardo Carpani - Carlos Gardel (1890-1935)

Who is Carlos Gardel?
**Carlos Gardel** (*actually Charles Romuald Gardès*) was a **tango singer**, **composer** and **actor**. He is considered one of the most important figures of tango in the first half of the 20th century. Born on **December 11, 1890** in **Toulouse, France**, he later became an **icon of tango** in **Argentina**. Gardel was one of the most influential interpreters of popular music worldwide in the first half of the 20th century ¹. His **rich voice** and **dramatic phrasing** made him an outstanding artist. Together with the lyricist and long-time collaborator **Alfredo Le Pera**, Gardel created several classic tangos.
Tragically, Gardel was killed in a plane crash during his career and has been mourned throughout Latin America as an **archetypal tragic hero**. For many, Gardel embodies the soul of the tango style. He is often referred to as "Carlitos", "El Zorzal" (the song thrush), "The King of Tango", "El Mago" (the magician), "El Morocho del Abasto" (the dark-haired boy from Abasto) and, ironically, "El Mudo" (the mute). Although there is a controversial theory that says Gardel was born in Tacuarembó, Uruguay, scientific researchers confirm, using French birth and baptism records, that his birthplace was Toulouse.
Carlos Gardel was a talented and distinctive Argentine tango singer who excelled from the beginning of his musical career until his death and was unique enough to become a world star. It is even believed that after Gardel's death, no one sang tango at his level.