Emotional music is her elixir of life. Otherwise the 89 year old Cuban Omara Portuondo wouldn't have the hardships of intercontinental flights next to her. In summer the time has finally come again: the greatest interpreter of the Cuban genre "Filin" (feeling) will finally guest again at the Vienna State Opera as part of her farewell tour, where she last performed with the pianist Chucho Valdes in 2011.

Portuondo's art is all on the blowing side of Cuban music. This also includes the highly melancholic boleros, which bear witness to the aberrations of the "Alma Sensual". Portuondo has preserved her sensitive soul into old age. It still happens to her that she is so touched when she sings that she bursts into tears. This could already be observed in Vienna with wonderful sentimental songs like "Esta Tarde Vi Llover" or "Dos Gardenias".

Born in Havana in 1930, the singer began her career in 1945 at the famous Club Tropicana, initially as a dancer. In 1952 she founded the Cuarteto las d´Aida with her sister Haydee and two other colleagues. For the first time she tasted the supra-regional success. In the USA they toured together with Crooner Nat King Cole. In 1959 Omara Portuondo recorded her first solo album with "Magia Negra". While her sister Haydee emigrated to the USA, Omara stayed in Cuba. As a regime-loyal artist she could also travel all over the world during the reign of Fidel Castro.

This was especially necessary from 1997 onwards. At that time, Omara Portuondo was the only woman to take part in the worldwide success "Buena Vista Social Club" produced by Ry Cooder. With late albums like "Flor De Amor" (2004) and "Gracias" (2008) she proved what a sensitive singer she is even in her advanced age. In 2009 she received her first and only Grammy. Even at an advanced age Omara Portuondo communicates the possibilities of melancholy with virtuosity.