Biography:

Sylvia Elvira Infantas Soto^[1] (14 June 1923 – 19 June 2024) was a Chilean singer, actress, and folklorist.

Early years

Infantas was born in Santiago in 1923. She was the daughter of tenor, Jorge Infantas, and grew up in the El Almendral neighborhood of Valparaíso.

Singing career

She began her singing career in 1942, performing on various radio stations. She was chosen as the best “melodic singer” of 1943 by Radiomanía magazine and eventually became recognised for her performances of Chilean folk music leading the groups “Silvia Infantas y los Baqueanos” (1953–1959) and “Silvia Infantas y los Cóndores” (1960–1969).^[1] In 1962, she participated in the third annual Viña del Mar International Song Festival; her performance of “El loro aguafiestas” (with backing from Los Cóndores) won the first place in the competition.

Infantas was a central figure in Chilean folk music from 1942 to 1970. She made international tours of Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, West Germany and Panama. She also made tours in Los Baqueanos between 1953 and 1959 and Los Cóndores between 1960 and 1969.

In 1955, composer Vicente Bianchi presented his musical interpretation on Pablo Neruda‘s poems “Tonadas de Manuel Rodríguez”, “Canto a Bernardo O’Higgins” and “Romance de los Carreras”. These works were recorded and popularized by Infantas and Los Baqueanos. Their recording of Música para la Historia de Chile has been recognized as an outstanding contribution to the culture of Chile.

Acting career

Infantas also developed a career as an actress at the Teatro de Ensayo de la Universidad Católica (TEUC) between 1946 and 1952 acting in plays such as El gran farante, El tiempo y los Conway, Contigo en la soledad, El cid, El burlador de Sevilla, Invitación al castillo, Pygmalion, El senador más honorable, La pérgola de las flores, y La anunciación a María. For the latter, she won the Caupolicán Award for “best actress” in 1950.^[1] She also acted in the 1968 film Ayúdeme usted compadre.^[2]

Death

Infantas turned 100 becoming a centenarian on June 14 2023. She died on 19 June 2024 in Santiago, Chile at the age of 101.^[3]

Credits: