Michelangelo, is historically one of the emblems of tango and Argentine folklore “for export”. Buenos Aires mecca of the sophisticated category known as “shows for tourists” that usually include the possibility of dinner. Although in his case it was much more than that. The construction dates back to 1849 and the subsoil contains traces of colonial times. There, in San Telmo, at this restaurant and theater on Balcarce Street, great figures and groups of Argentine entertainment and music from the last decades of the 20th century passed by. From Amelita Baltar, to the Sexteto Mayor, as well as Osvaldo Agri, Leopoldo Federico, Mariano Mores, Los Chalchaleros, Los Fronterizos, Jaime Torres, María Martha Serra Lima and Sandro, among many others. It is such an iconic place that the legendary Astor Piazzolla dedicated the tango “Michelangelo 70” to it on his album “Adiós Nonino”.
It is logical then that he appears there as a central figure, Nestor Fabian, close to turning 85 years old and with his big voice intact. A professional singer, admired by his peers and loved by the public, he represents an entire era of our city. He still continues to amaze the public, both for his virtuosity and for his great handling of the stage and enormous capacity to excite. He performs every night with a sextet directed by Nicolás Ledesma, accompanied by the singer María Pisoni and five couples of dancers.
In these cozy spaces, where all the walls breathe history, the photo session and the chat with NEWS take place. Simple, frank, funny and, above all, generous in sharing his experiences, this great artist exudes bonhomie and life wisdom.
News: Why did you agree to perform in this renewed space?
Nestor Fabian: I was one of its first singers, in 1967, when the owner was Hiriberto Isaac. So, there were three stages with different proposals of tango, folklore and jazz. But there were also many shows, especially on Corrientes Avenue, and no one came here, because not even tourism came. I remember the guy saying, “to think I’m spending all the money.” He lamented every day. He sold it and the Donadíos, owners of a can packaging factory in Avellaneda, bought it. And people started coming. So I am from the first “baking” of Michelangelo. How could I not accept!
Knowing that his origins are linked to the neighborhood, it is enough to ask him the question for his prodigious memory to begin an extensive and intimate story that is worth knowing in all its details. Even more so when he is a living example of resilience and humanity: “I was born in a tenement that was then, nearby, at Humberto Primo 924. There the people were very supportive, no child went hungry, because everyone knew the needs of each family. They saw me and told me: “You’re very thin,” and they gave me cod liver oil,” he recalls.
News: What was your childhood like?
Fabian: My mother passed away when I was six years old. When my last little brother was born, she practically stayed in the hospital. I greeted her from the hospital park. I waved my hand at her and I never saw her again. And my dad passed away some time later, when I was ten. He came in because of a stomach problem and didn’t come out. I was left alone, because my other little brothers were already adopted. I would go to Constitución, open doors, or I would go to the Marín pizzeria. Maybe they didn’t give me money, but they gave me a pizza, or a fainá. That Marín had some Galician empanadas that I was dying to eat. Afterwards she slept in the train cars. It is very ugly to live on the street.
News: How did you get out of that situation?
Fabian: At 12 years old I started giving serenades. They nicknamed me Cholito, because he intoned: “What do you think, Cholito, what do you think?” I didn’t have documents until I was 18 because a woman from Avellaneda, Rosita, raised me, otherwise she would end up in a reform school. She saved my life. She was very supportive and friend of Aníbal Troilo, Tania and so many more. She taught spiritualism classes, a genius. I came to Rosita’s house because of her nephew, when I was singing in an independent theater. In the intermission of the play called, “Little Wooden Virgin,” she performed “The Old Serenade.” There I met her, she invited me to lunch, she rescued me. She had other adopted children, kids arrived who lacked everything. She also helped the Avellaneda Hospital, the firefighters, what a human being! At one point I looked bad and told her: “This and that happens to me” and she told me: “Remain calm, there is a place here for you too.” And I stayed.
News: When did you start singing professionally?
Fabian: I was fascinated by singing, I would stop to listen to the greatest people in my neighborhood when they gave serenades. I first tried out with (Aníbal) Troilo at sixteen. Look how responsible it was that he took me to the Fernández Hospital so that I could see a specialist, an otorhinolaryngologist, and determine if my vocal cords could withstand the work that I was going to have from now on. The professional told him that he was still too young for so much effort. That he could sing in contests and serenades as he did, but that he should not turn it into a job, singing on the radio, in clubs, on tours, because it was not convenient.
News: That could have scared him, what did he do then?
Fabian: He sang the same way, in the cantinas. There I met Norberto Aroldi (actor, author and director). He was the one who took me to take the test with Mariano Mores, on Channel 7. Mariano tells me “What a beautiful color of voice! “I’m going to call you.” And he called me, the next day! Because on Saturday I had a program. That is, the test had been on a Wednesday and he called me on Thursday because they had gotten him a program for the weekend. Right after that audition, his stage name came up by chance: “I told him my name was José Cotelo, but he answered that he had to change my name. Then I remembered a man named Fabián. And I asked someone who was next to me what his son’s name was. Néstor, he answered me.
His characteristic good humor attenuates, his voice becomes tinged with emotion and a hint of sadness passes through his eyes, only when he mentions the great singer Violeta Rivas, an icon of national music. He was the love of her life, and with whom she formed one of the most emblematic couples in the artistic environment. She died from a kidney condition in 2018, she had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for some time.
News: I imagine that situation was difficult.
Fabian: It was very difficult. Sometimes she would give her a kiss and she would tell me: “Be careful, people will see us.” And, for example, she was not as elegant as before. On Thursdays we had dinner with a group of friends and she sang with me, correctly, without problems. But then, on another occasion, she didn’t remember anything, she didn’t want to eat and we had to take her to the bedroom. There she couldn’t walk alone either.
News: Many families choose to hospitalize people who suffer from this disease. How was it in your case?
Fabian: I said that as long as I could, she was going to be with me because I was going to take care of her like no one else, and that’s how it was. I have friends in charge of nursing homes, including the one where Cacho Fontana was, where they offered to take her and give her the best care, but no, we gave her a lot of love at home and that was key. It is the only formula: love. Works. My granddaughter and my daughter spoiled her. Many times she didn’t know us, but she had moments of lucidity; We had meetings with friends at home so that she was contained and they gave her affection. Sometimes she looked at them strangely, but it didn’t matter, she received more and more love from everyone.
News: The most painful thing must have been the final stretch.
Fabian: That’s how it is. A month before she died, she had to be hospitalized because at her house they could no longer give her the care she needed no matter how much good will and love one had.
News: What are the best memories you have?
Fabian: Many. She called me “Néstor”, but when she called me “José” it was her because she was angry. She cooked very well, tiramisu was her specialty. More than the cinema, she liked going to the theater, because she started singing opera. We enjoyed three years of dating and fifty-one years of marriage together. Analía Verónica, our beloved daughter, arrived, and now she takes care of me with my granddaughter Zoe. With them today I share life under the same roof.
News: Where did you find the strength to continue singing?
Fabian: When Violeta died, I didn’t know where she was. Little by little they called me. First from Mar del Plata, then from other places and finally, Luis Macchi, the owner of Michelangelo. A man who cares about the artist and always asks me “Are you satisfied?” Of course! In this place I feel and they treat me like at home. Everyone, from the doorman to the waiters, shows me affection. So, to be singing here is wonderful. The only thing I ask of life is health, the rest will take care of itself.
