Singer and Actor. Mariano Eusebio González García and his family relocated from Spain to Bordeaux, France during the Spanish Civil War. Although graduating with a major in Architecture from the Fine Arts Institute, he moved to the Conservatory of Music to concentrate on developing his tenor voice. His debut was in the part of Ernesto in "Don Pasquale" at the Palais de Chatillot to positive reviews in 1943. Two years later, he moved to Paris where he met Francis Lopez, a composer specializing in operettas. Working together, Luis achieved praise with "La Belle de Cadix." A song, "Maria Luisa" from the operetta, was recorded and became a popular hit bringing him both French and Spanish acclaim. Their collaboration continued and he continued to find success onstage and as a recording artist. He segued easily into films, some were filmed versions of his staged performances. He is best known for "Andalucia," and "Adventure of the Barber of Seville." By 1952, his role in "Violetas Imperiales" cemented his reputation and he would make thirty films in his lifetime. He reunited with Lopez in 1967, and had a surprise hit with "Le Prince de Madrid" an old style operetta which ran for two years in Paris. In 1969, they debuted "La Caravelle d'Or." Unfortunately, Mariano was forced to abandon his role. He was diagnosed with viral hepatitis, and later died. He was awarded France's Legion of Honor Medal and Spain's Order of Queen Isabelle. In his hometown, a park with a sculpture of him was dedicated, and he was featured on a Spanish postage stamp. He is often remembered as the "king of the operettas."
Singer and Actor. Mariano Eusebio González García and his family relocated from Spain to Bordeaux, France during the Spanish Civil War. Although graduating with a major in Architecture from the Fine Arts Institute, he moved to the Conservatory of Music to concentrate on developing his tenor voice. His debut was in the part of Ernesto in "Don Pasquale" at the Palais de Chatillot to positive reviews in 1943. Two years later, he moved to Paris where he met Francis Lopez, a composer specializing in operettas. Working together, Luis achieved praise with "La Belle de Cadix." A song, "Maria Luisa" from the operetta, was recorded and became a popular hit bringing him both French and Spanish acclaim. Their collaboration continued and he continued to find success onstage and as a recording artist. He segued easily into films, some were filmed versions of his staged performances. He is best known for "Andalucia," and "Adventure of the Barber of Seville." By 1952, his role in "Violetas Imperiales" cemented his reputation and he would make thirty films in his lifetime. He reunited with Lopez in 1967, and had a surprise hit with "Le Prince de Madrid" an old style operetta which ran for two years in Paris. In 1969, they debuted "La Caravelle d'Or." Unfortunately, Mariano was forced to abandon his role. He was diagnosed with viral hepatitis, and later died. He was awarded France's Legion of Honor Medal and Spain's Order of Queen Isabelle. In his hometown, a park with a sculpture of him was dedicated, and he was featured on a Spanish postage stamp. He is often remembered as the "king of the operettas."
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
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