Emilio Bigi

Infobox artist
bgcolour = silver
name = Emilio Bigi


imagesize =
caption =
birthname = Emilio Bigi
birthdate = July 1 1910
location = Asunción, Paraguay
deathdate = May 28 1969
deathplace = San Cristóbal, Venezuela
nationality = Paraguayan
field = Music
training =
movement =
works = “Renacer guarani” (Guarani resurgence) and “Poema sinfónico” (Symphonic poem)
patrons =
influencedby =
influenced =
awards =

Emilio Bigi was born in Asunción, Paraguay, on July 1, 1910, son of Elisa Bigi, from the italian collectivity in this country.

Childhood and Youth

Being still a small child, he was part of the “Batallón de exploradores” (Explorers battalion), directed by the Salesiano priest Ernesto Pérez Acosta (Pa’i Pérez), accomplishing his first musical studies in the Band of Musicians of this group. Later on he got in the Capital Police Band of Musicians, where he played the bass.

Early moments

Emilio studied accordion, theory and solfeggio in the Paraguayan Athenaeum and later, the bandoneon. He played this instrument when got in the popular orchestra of Gerardo Fernández Moreno and later on, numerous other groups of popular music, finally forming his own typical orchestra. With this, took part 1940. of the delegation of President Higinio Morínigo, in an official visit to Argentina.

Trajectory / Path

Settled in Buenos Aires, continued to study theory and solfeggio, harmony, contrapunto (counterpoint) and piano, in the Academy Rubbione. There, soon after concluding his courses, presented his thesis about “Variations about a Guarani subject”. Was temporally part of “Trío Guaireño” leadered by Gumersindo Ayala Aquino and later on, formed his own group. With this group he accompany several singers, being part of the Guarani Folkloric Grouping, which had a prolific activity in the Argentine capital.In 1952, he went on tour with his group of popular music, conformed by Ayala Aquino, Carlos Federico Reyes (“Mita’i churi”) and Paty de Ayala, and settled in San Cristóbal, department of Táchira, Venezuela. In that country developed an intense activity as a musician and teacher, working as a director in the Orfeón of the Alberto Adriani Institude, as a professor in the Music School Miguel Angel Espinel and as an instrumentalist of the Band of Táchira and the Typical Orchestra of the State, without given up on creating music, such as popular, symphonic and camera.

His family

Married with the Venezuelan Carmen Osorio, had two daughters.

Last Years

He died in May 28, 1969, in San Cristóbal, Venezuela. His remains rest in the Venezuelan city.

Work

Among his most representative work in erudite music, are found:
* “Cuarteto de cuerdas” (Spring quartet)
* “Aire Nacional Op. 3” (National air Op. 3)
* “Renacer guarani” (Guarani resurgence)
* “Poema sinfónico” (Symphonic poem)
* “Aires nacionales para piano” (National airs for piano)
* “Canciones” (Songs)

In popular music outstand, because of their beauty and the success the accomplish:
* “Paraguay”
* “El suspiro” (Sigh)
* “Mimby pu”
* “Amanecer” (Sunrise)
* “Achuita”
* “Minero sapukai” (Miner song)
* “Pobre de mi” (Poor me)
* “La canción de mimby” (Mimby’s song)
* “Mutilado en la guerra” (Mutilated in war). Lyrics by Rigoberto Fontao Meza.
* “Acosta Ñu”. Touching epic song, that enhance the heroism of the martyrs children that fought in August 16, 1869 the battle of the same name, in the last period of the Guerra de la Triple Alianza (War Against the Triple Aliace).
* “Teresita”
* “Por tu cariño, madre” (Because of your love, mother)

References

* [http://www.cabildoccr.gov.py/index.php?pagina=vernovedades&idnovedad=4 Centro Cultural de la República El Cabildo]
* Biographic Dictionary "FORJADORES DEL PARAGUAY", First Edition. January, 2000. Distribuidora Quevedo. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
* EVP - Wikipedia
* [http://www.evp.edu.py/index.php?title=Portada Enciclopedia Virtual Paraguaya - Portal]