Virulazo

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].