Ricardo Brignolo
Real name Ricardo Luis Brignolo
Life 7 March 1892 – 27 March 1954
Pseudonyms
-
• La Nena
• Ricardo Corazón de León
Occupation
-
• bandoneonist
• conductor
• composer
• lyricist
• pianist
Instrument
-
• bandoneon
• piano
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Country of birth Argentina
Citizenship
-
• Argentina
TodoTango: Link
Ricardo Brignolo (Buenos Aires, 7 March 1892 – Buenos Aires, 27 March 1954) was an Argentine bandoneonist, composer, and orchestra leader, best remembered as the author of the classic tango Chiqué.
Career
A disciple of Genaro Espósito (Tano Genaro), Brignolo made his professional debut in 1913 with Roberto Firpo at the Bar Iglesias. In 1914, with his own trio, he performed at El Caburé, a café on Avenida Entre Ríos.
In the years that followed, he performed in numerous cafés, at charity soup kitchens (ollas populares), and at countless dances. He was involved with radio from its earliest days and recorded with his orchestra for the Brunswick label. Under Brunswick, he also accompanied Agustín Magaldi in several sessions.
Though he often led his own ensembles, Brignolo also played in the orchestra of Francisco Lomuto and other less prominent groups. He had a notable presence on Radio Belgrano during what is remembered as the golden era of Argentine radio.
Compositions
Brignolo composed his first tango, Siga el corso, in 1914. His most famous work, however, is the celebrated tango Chiqué (1920), regarded as a masterpiece of tango melody and refinement. Even those generally indifferent to tango have found Chiqué difficult to ignore.
Other compositions by Brignolo include:
- Bacán fulero
- Rulitos
- Florida del arrabal
- Imploración
- Ambiciosa
- De puro gusto
- Qué bomboncito
- Por seguidora y por fiel – with lyrics by Celedonio Flores
- Íntimas – music by Alfonso Lacueva, recorded by Carlos Gardel
Other works:
Siempre viva, Boquense, Caridad, El secante, El espamento, Milonga y copetines, Encantado de la vida, Crisálida, Espina de una flor, El Alazán, Para mis amigos, El octavo, La reina del bulín
Relationship with Gardel
Brignolo and Carlos Gardel were friends from their early days in the popular music scene. Even before achieving fame, the two collaborated informally—one with his bandoneon, the other with his voice. There are accounts of them performing together in small venues during Argentina’s 1910 centennial celebrations, earning just a few coins.
Legacy
Brignolo left behind a catalog of refined and expressive tango compositions. His piece Chiqué alone secured his name in tango history, though many of his lesser-known works also carry notable artistic merit.
External Links
- Biography at TodoTango (by Orlando del Greco)
Orchestras
No known group memberships.
Recordings
No recordings found.