The legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, affectionately known as the "Diva of the Buena Vista Social Club," has decided to permanently step away from live performances following an episode of exhaustion and disorientation during her show at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona on Wednesday, October 2nd. Her son and manager, Ariel Jiménez Portuondo, shared the news in a social media statement, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support and providing updates on her health.
At 93 years of age, Omara has continued to perform occasionally, with each appearance carefully planned to prioritize her health. Nevertheless, during her rendition of the classic "Quizás, quizás, quizás" by Osvaldo Farrés at the Crüilla Festival, she exhibited signs of fatigue, necessitating an early end to the concert. This incident led to the decision for her to retire from international stages permanently, as explained by Jiménez Portuondo.
A Celebratory Farewell in Budapest
The statement clarified that although the Failde Orchestra continued the performance with professionalism, the occurrence prompted the family and the artist's team to reconsider her future. A tribute will be held on October 6th in Budapest, marking the official wrap-up of her extraordinary career, though Portuondo will not be performing.
Despite her retirement from live shows, Omara Portuondo plans to keep rehearsing and recording in her studio, as her health allows, ensuring her enduring bond with the music that has defined her life, as detailed in the announcement.
Omara's Enduring Passion for Music
In 2022, the singer had declared her final tour to the distant countries from Cuba but mentioned she wasn't saying a complete goodbye to performing. "For me, singing is living; it's my way of being. If you ask for my favorite place, it will always be the stage, the song I sing, the next applause. As long as I have a voice and someone wants to listen, let me sing," the legendary artist, also known as "La novia del feeling," shared in a Facebook post.