Romica Puceanu

Romica Puceanu (1928-1996), una cantante gitana de Rumanía, fué famosa en el ámbito de la canción gitana de la Europa del Este por su personal estilo, dulce, meliodoso y emotivo, interpretando toda clase de piezas tanto del folclore tradicional del campo rumano, como de la ciudad, con incursiones en piezas pertenecientes a las culturas de los países limítrofes de Rumanía creando en sus interpretaciones una feliz amalgama rumano-gitana-turco-judía, que tanto se dan en esta zona de Europa.

El texto arriba encontré en Internet. Ahí encontré también un sitio de Robert Garfias sobre Romica Puceano en que él da enlaces a sus canciones y cuenta algo sobre ella:

In November of 1996, the Romanian Gypsy singer, par excellence, Romica Puceanu, died in Bucharest as the result of an automobile accident. Greatly admired by those who knew her singing, she was, nonetheless, the unfortunate victim of a number of circumstances which prevented her receiving the acclaim which she deserved. By the 1960s and 70s she had become in Romania, the unrivaled interpreter of the cintec de pahar, that form of urban Romanian Gypsy song, a combination of Turkish and Romanian elements in a unique Gypsy setting. She possessed an exquisite voice and was singer of great sensitivity and depth. Romanian state policy in effect during most of the years during which Romica was in her prime, made it difficult for most artists, particularly Gypsies, to be heard abroad.

Within the country, Gypsy singers and musicians who chose to perform Romanian Gypsy music were never officially accorded the same recognition, recording opportunities, and promotion given to those who performed only the approved music of the state. Had Romica been allowed to perform abroad and to be recorded outside Romania, it is my firm belief that she would certainly have reached the popularity of the level enjoyed today by such artists as Cesaria Evora of Cabo Verde. Sadly, for her and for so many who might have enjoyed her, this did not happen. Romica was an incredible artist and a dear friend.

I have been asked by a number of people to supply them with copies of recordings made by Romica Puceanu in Romania. Since these recordings may never again become available anywhere else, I have started the slow process of converting them to MP3 files and putting them on the web site. I will continue to add to these as I complete new ones.