Guillermo Barbieri

Guillermo Barbieri (September 25, 1894, in Buenos Aires – June 26, 1935, in Medellín) was an Argentine composer and singer, and one of the guitarists of the famous singer Carlos Gardel.

Life Guillermo Desiderio Barbieri developed his passion for the guitar from a young age, a talent he inherited from his father, Tristán Barbieri, an amateur guitarist. At the age of seventeen, he decided to marry Rosario Acosta, with whom he had five children: María Esther, Carmen Luz, Marta Adela, Guillermo Oscar, and Alfredo Barbieri (whose godfather was Gardel).

He was the grandfather of comedian and actress Carmen Barbieri and the great-grandfather of actor Federico Bal.

Professional career In the second decade of the 20th century, he joined a trio with Félix Rodríguez on bandoneón and Pedro Vallarino on violin. They performed at serenades and baptisms during their stays in the city's neighborhoods. Beginning in 1916, he played with his partner at the time, Luciano Gardelli, nicknamed "El Tanito." On January 1, 1921, the Gardelli-Barbieri duo made their debut at the Teatro Español.

With Gardel In an interview for the Uruguayan magazine Cancionera, he said that he met Carlos Gardel and José Razzano at a party held in Bajo Belgrano. He said:

The tango Los ruiseñores was the first piece composed by Barbieri. He committed to using it in 1921 in a version for Roberto Firpo's orchestra. It was first performed in Montevideo alongside José Ricardo on guitar, accompanying the Gardel-Razzano duo near the end of that year, at the Teatro Artigas on December 6.

In an interview about his relationship with Gardel, he expressed:

Film and radio

Barbieri's appearances in film were alongside Carlos Gardel, whom he accompanied musically in the following films:

Mano a mano Canchero Enfundá la mandolina Yira, yira Tengo miedo Padrino pelao El quinielero Añoranzas El carretero Luces de Buenos Aires

Between October 21 and December 4 of the same year, he also accompanied him on Radio Splendid and Rivadavia in the program La hora Geniol, where they had the opportunity to perform some instrumental pieces.

Works Barbieri, in addition to being a talented guitarist, was a renowned composer of Argentine popular music, especially tango. Many of his compositions were performed by Carlos Gardel.

Death

Guillermo Barbieri died in the plane crash of June 24, 1935, in Medellín, in which Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Le Pera also lost their lives while they were on a tour of Latin America. His remains, along with those of the other guitarists who died in the accident, are buried in La Chacarita Cemetery, in Buenos Aires.

In 2012, Guillermo Barbieri was remembered in a special episode of the Argentine television program Crónica TV, titled La tragedia de los famosos (The Tragedy of the Famous), dedicated to Carlos Gardel.