15 February 1904 San Sebastián – 24 December 1964 San Sebastián
After vocal studies in San Sebastián and Madrid, Arregui made his debut in his home town in 1929, in the zarzuela Los
de Aragón. He soon became one of the most popular zarzuela tenors in his generation. His first major success was the
world premiere of Jacinto Guerrero's La fama del tartanero (Valladolid, 1931). Other world premieres he sang in were
Luisa Fernanda by Federico Moreno Torroba (Madrid, Teatro Calderón, 1932), which became Arregui's signature work,
and La tabernera del puerto by Pablo Sorozábal (Barcelona, Teatre Tívoli, 1936).
Arregui also sang some non-Spanish operetta (Giuditta, Madrid, Teatro de la Zarzuela, 1936), but never any opera.
During the Spanish Civil War, he left Spain and pursued his career in Argentina and other South American countries; after the
war, he returned and still appeared on stage for a while.
Reference: Kutsch & Riemens
In RA format
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Faustino Arregui had the necessary vocal means
to be an operatic tenor but he is remembered today for his
dedication to the "zarzuela" genre. He was a singer with an
accurate instinct, he wisely alternated impetuous accents with serene
phrases.
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I would like to thank Vladimir Efimenko for the recording and notes.
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