Biography
Xiomara Alfaro was a highly successful vocalist who appeared as herself in a few films. Noted for her unique high pitched coloratura soprano voice, she started singing as a child in family reunions and community events in her Marianao neighborhood. As customary at the time, young singers wishing to launch professional careers would join talent contests held at various radio stations in Havana. Young Xiomara was the winner of one such contest at Radio Suaritos becoming a regular of its broadcasts. Composer and pianist Obdulio Morales heard her singing on the radio and was so impressed that he invited her to join the cast of his musical revue "Batamú" which debuted at the Martí Theater in 1951.
After her success in that show, Miss Alfaro was in great demand by entertainment directors and producers in the many cabarets, night clubs and theaters thriving in Havana at the time. Performing at the famous Tropicana, she caught the eyes and ears of the American dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham who offered Xiomara a contract with her company. With the Dunham troupe, the Cuban vocalist had the opportunity to travel extensively through Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and Italy. During their Rome residency, Dunham's group including Xiomara, were featured in the film "Mambo" (1954) directed by Robert Rossen.
After this, the singer accepted solo contracts that took her to several South American countries. On her return to Cuba , she was hailed by the media as a true superstar and was soon signed by the RCA Victor record label. Her album "Siboney" was an instant success both in Cuba and abroad. The song "Siboney" by composer Ernesto Lecuona became her signature song while other tunes such as "Luna Rossa" and "Anema e Core" made the radio hit parades for weeks. As a successful recording artist, Miss Alfaro continued mesmerizing audiences wherever she sang, especially on television where she had a constant presence in all the top variety shows. Xiomara Alfaro had become a household name not only in her country but throughout the Americas.
With the arrival of the Cuban revolution in 1959, came a ruthless communist dictatorship that aimed to control all aspects of Cuban life including the performing arts. Miss Alfaro was not pleased by these events and, like many other Cuban artists of her stature, fled the country in 1960 never to return. Since she was well known internationally, she continued her career without a hitch.
Xiomara toured Europe once more and had a long residency in Paris. In London she was asked to sing at the bridal shower of Princess Margaret and was a guest of the Royal Family. Next she toured South and Central America where she was an idol, and continued recording. Even though she had an extraordinary voice and could have sung opera, she preferred popular music, especially romantic boleros. Her repertoire always included the best of the Latin America songbook as well as French and Italian standards. Reviewers always noted that Miss Alfaro had created a new and original singing style in popular music that could never be matched by other singers.
During concerts in Panama she met and married musician Rafael Benítez, who became her musical director both in concerts and records. The couple settled first in New York and later in Florida, their union lasting over half a century. Xiomara's exile years were very fruitful, performing constantly in the most prestigious venues of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, with occasional tours in Europe and the Middle East.
However she always missed her homeland and was saddened to the end of her life by the fact that she would never see the dawn of freedom rise on the unfortunate island. At age 80, the gifted and hard working Xiomara Alfaro retired due to health issues but never lost her spunk and sense of humor. The end came on June 24th, 2018 when she became seriously ill. That day, at approximately 11:00 PM, the great Cuban singer died quietly of cardio-respiratory arrest surrounded by family and friends in her home of Cape Coral, Florida.
