Emilia Conde

Emilia Conde (née Rodriguez, September 2, 1930 or 1931 – February 28, 1998) was a Puerto Rican singer, pianist, guitarist, and composer.

Biography Conde was born in Yauco, Puerto Rico to parents Juan Rodriguez and Marina Pacheco.

At a young age, she studied piano with Rosita Escalona de Nin, and performed her first piano recital at age nine. Her musicianship earned her a Puerto Rican government scholarship to attend the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. and was awarded a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in 1953.

Conde pursued a singing career as a protégé of Pablo Casals, and was further encouraged by musicians such as José Iturbi and Alexander Schneider, who recognized her talent. In 1987, she starred at the Museum of the City of New York in a production of Emilia, a musical about her life and career, featuring her own music, along with dialogues by Peter Raphael Bloch, and musical collaboration with Marco Rizo.

After a head injury in 1988, Conde began to experience memory loss and impaired coordination. However, she was determined to maintain her career, and continued teaching and performing until 1992. Selected as Hija Predilecta (Favorite Daughter) of her hometown Yauco.

1971 Received the John F. Kennedy Library for Minorities Award. Made an Honorary Member of the Association for Puerto Rican-Hispanic Culture. Won Best Popular Singer Award from the Institute of Puerto Rico in New York.

1986 Awarded the Silver Medal of the Société académique Arts-Sciences-Lettres of Paris, France.

Discography