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Dancer

Virulazo

Virulazo was a tango dancer born on 10 October 1926, according to one source [4]. He won a national tango contest with Aída in 1952 [1], later danced with his wife Elvira Santamaría [2], and in 1983 joined the show 'Tango Argentino', which went on to Paris and Broadway [3][2].

Virulazo was a tango dancer whose recorded birth date is 10 October 1926 [4]. He began dancing tango at about 13, in neighbourhood clubs and in Mataderos [1]. He got the nickname 'Virulazo' at around age 18, while playing bocce [2].

In 1952 he and Aída won the national tango contest run by the Águila chocolate company [1]. In 1959 he met Elvira Santamaría again by chance, and the two became dance partners and married [2]. In 1983, at 57 and on Copes's recommendation, he joined the show 'Tango Argentino', which opened in Paris in November of that year [3]. One source places this stage of his career in the tango revival era [2]. The show reached Broadway in 1985 [2], and in 1986 its dancers were nominated for the Tony Award for choreography [2]. Virulazo died on 2 August 1990 [2].

Early life and nickname

Virulazo's birth date is given as 10 October 1926 [4]. One account says he started dancing tango in 1939, at about 13, in neighbourhood clubs and in Mataderos [1].

Around 1944, at about 18, he got the nickname 'Virulazo' while playing bocce [2].

Contests and partnerships

In 1952 Virulazo and a partner named Aída won the national tango contest organised by the Águila chocolate company [1].

In 1959 he met Elvira Santamaría again by chance [2]. They became dance partners and later married [2].

Tango Argentino

In 1983 Virulazo joined the stage show 'Tango Argentino' at the age of 57 [3]. He was recommended by Copes [3]. The show opened in Paris in November 1983 [3]. One source classifies this period of his career under the tango revival [2].

'Tango Argentino' reached Broadway in 1985 [2]. In 1986 the show's dancers were nominated for the Tony Award for choreography [2].

Virulazo died on 2 August 1990 [2].

References

How Tangopedia works

  1. 1.Biografía de Virulazo · todotango.com
  2. 2.Virulazo · es.wikipedia.org
  3. 3.Virulazo: el bailarín de Haedo que conoció la fama mundial · diarioanticipos.com
  4. 4.Tangopedia staff · tangopedia.app

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Notes15

Starts dancing tango at about 13 in neighbourhood clubs and Mataderos.1939

Single source

Around age 18 gets the nickname 'Virulazo' playing bocce.1944

Single source

Meets Elvira Santamaría again by chance; they become partners and marry.1959

Single source

Joins 'Tango Argentino' at 57, on Copes's recommendation; it opens in Paris in November.1983

Single source

'Tango Argentino' reaches Broadway.1985

Single source

Dies on 2 August.Aug 2, 1990

Single source

Virulazo — described as Virulazo (Bailarín)1980–1989, Aug 2, 1990

Single source

Gustavo Naveira — described as Virulazo

Single source

In 1952 he won a tango dance contest organised by the Águila chocolate company with his first wife Aída1952

Single source

In 1983 Juan Carlos Copes invited him to audition for the show Tango Argentino, planned for Paris1983

Single source

In 1985 Tango Argentino played Broadway and all its dancers were nominated for the Tony Awards for best choreography1985

Single source

The nickname Virulazo came when he was 18 and played bochas for money, from an Italian man urging him to throw a virulazo (a hard shot)

Single source

His birth name was Jorge Orcaizaguirre, of Basque and (maternal) Italian descent

Single source

He was raised by his grandparents because his parents separated early

Single source

At the height of Tango Argentino's New York run he refused to dance free of charge at a special morning performance arranged for Henry Kissinger

Single source

Won2

Won Wins the national tango contest run by the Águila chocolate company, with Aída.1952

Single source

Won The Tango Argentino dancers are nominated for the Tony Award for choreography.1986

Single source

Era2

Era revival1983

Sources disagree

Era nuevo1980

Sources disagree

Born2

Born on October 10, 1926

Supported · 2

Virulazo — born on Virulazo (October 10, 1926)

Single source

In other catalogues1

Virulazo — external id Virulazo (todotango:creador/180)

Single source

Died2

Virulazo — died on Virulazo (August 2, 1990)

Single source

Died on August 2, 1990

Single source

Birthplace2

Virulazo — born in Virulazo (Haedo (Buenos Aires) Argentina)

Single source

Born in Haedo

Single source

Partnered with2

Virulazo — partnered with Virulazo1983

Supported · 2

Partnered with Elvira Santamaría1959

Single source

Danced at1

Virulazo — danced at Virulazo1940–1949

Supported · 2

Dance style1

Virulazo — dance style Virulazo (orillero)

Single source

Studied with1

Miguel Angel Zotto — studied with Virulazo1986–1989

Single source

Timeline

  1. Oct 10, 1926Born in Haedo, Buenos Aires Province.

    source

  2. 1939Starts dancing tango at about 13 in neighbourhood clubs and Mataderos.

    source

  3. 1944Around age 18 gets the nickname 'Virulazo' playing bocce.

    source

  4. 1952Wins the national tango contest run by the Águila chocolate company, with Aída.

    source

  5. 1959Meets Elvira Santamaría again by chance; they become partners and marry.

    source

  6. 1983Joins 'Tango Argentino' at 57, on Copes's recommendation; it opens in Paris in November.

    source

  7. 1985'Tango Argentino' reaches Broadway.

    source

  8. 1986The Tango Argentino dancers are nominated for the Tony Award for choreography.

    source

  9. Aug 2, 1990Dies on 2 August.

    source

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