Xiomara Alfaro

Xiomara Alfaro (May 11, 1930 – June 24, 2018) was a Cuban coloratura soprano whose crystal‑clear voice made her one of the most beloved singers of the 1950s Cuban music scene. Born in Havana, she displayed musical talent from an early age, winning a youth singing contest sponsored by Radio Suaritos and subsequently appearing regularly on the station’s broadcasts, which opened doors to professional opportunities. Her sister Olympia Alfaro also pursued a singing career, highlighting a family tradition of vocal artistry. In 1951 Alfaro joined the original cast of the influential musical revue Batamú, created by Obdulio Morales, and quickly earned the nicknames “El Ruiseñor de la Canción” (The Nightingale of Music) and “La Alondra de la Canción” (The Lark of Music) because of her luminous soprano that suited bolero and other romantic genres. She recorded more than two dozen albums for RCA Records and other labels, most famously interpreting Ernesto Lecuona’s Siboney, a rendition that Lecuona himself declared his favorite. Alfaro’s film work included a vocal performance alongside the Katherine Dunham dancers in Mambo (1954) and a role in Olé…Cuba! (1957), which also featured Afro‑Cuban legend Celia Cruz, thereby cementing her status as a crossover star. After marrying Panamanian pianist Rafael Benítez, she fled Cuba in 1960, eventually settling in Florida where she continued to perform for expatriate audiences and released retrospective collections such as Siboney: Lo Mejor de Xiomara Alfaro (2004) and Aquellas Canciones (2015). In a 2007 interview she described herself as "a very spiritual person," insisting that her gift was a divine offering meant to be shared with listeners. Alfaro passed away on June 24, 2018 in Cape Coral, Florida, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire lovers of Cuban music worldwide.