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History of the corner
At the corner of the alley named after Carlos Gardel and Anchorena Street, next to a statue that immortalizes the most famous tango singer, there used to be a restaurant that was the gathering place for the colorful characters of the popular market of Buenos Aires. Chanta Cuatro Restaurant was a silent companion to Carlitos Gardel’s nights of dining and tango singing until sunrise with friends.
Chanta Cuatro opened its doors for the first time in 1893, at that time as a two-storied restaurant and family hotel. Visitors were invited to play “bochas” (bocce) at the court attached to the restaurant. The opening of Chanta Cuatro was almost simultaneous with that of the old Mercado de Abasto (produce market) of the city of Buenos Aires, sharing its glory and decadence. It housed workers, immigrants and “malandras” (scoundrels). It witnessed the splendor of tango, maybe due to the proximity to Carlos Gardel’s home at Jean Jaures Street, less than two blocks away.
Today, more than 100 years later, as if by magic, this story comes back into life. Esquina Carlos Gardel, located exactly on the same lot where Chanta Cuatro used to be, offers an unmatched, unbeatable alternative in Tango theme restaurants..
History of the name
The expression “Chanta Cuatro” originates from the game of “bochas” (from the Italian bocce). The game consists in throwing the bocha and, and trying to land as many as possible close to a special, smaller ball called “bochín” . Each player starts with four balls. If one player succeeds in getting three balls near the bochín, and the other player manages to place one of his closer to it , the first player still has a chance of winning the round. The last ball has to hit the one of the opponent, moving it away and taking its place (playing “chanta”), thus winning four points and achieving “Chanta Cuatro”.
READ More about Carlos Gardel
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More about Carlos Gardel.
A MYTH OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Carlos Gardel’s birthplace and birthday are still a matter of debate among historians and researchers. Two surmises are suggested, December 11th 1887 in the city of Tacuarembo, Uruguay, and December 11th 1890 in Toulouse, France.
Since his childhood he enjoyed singing. In an interview he said his aim was to sing popular music. When he started his career as a singer, his inspiration were “payadores”, gaucho minstrels from the area of Rio de la Plata.
In 1917 a groundbreaking event took place, which gave place to a whole new path in the popular music of the Rio de la Plata. The poet Pascual Contursi and the musician Samuel Castriota composed the first “tango canción” named “Mi noche triste”. This piece was recorded a few months later by Carlos Gardel with the label Odeon, becoming the first singer to perform “tango canción”.
After recording his first tangos (“Flor de fango”, “Milonguita”, “El ramito”), his fame increased.
In 1926 he bought a house in installments, on 735 Jean Jaures street. He lived there with his mother, Berta Gardes, since then. He was already known as “el morocho del Abasto”, a nickname he received after his adventures as a kid around the famous Mercado de Abasto.
In May 1931 he shot his first feature film in Joinville, France, called “Luces de Buenos Aires”. Later came “Esperame” (1933) , “La casa es seria” (1933) and “Melodía de Arrabal”(1933), which were followed by films shot in New York City, “Cuesta Abajo” (1934), “El Tango en Broadway” (1935), “Cazadores de estrellas” (1934), “El día que me quieras” (1935) and “Tango Bar” (1935). It was in this period that he befriended the scriptwriter of his films and lyrics collaborator, poet Alfredo Le Pera.
Together with Le Pera, Gardel wrote a series of songs, tangos and other forms that took him around the world, including “Melodía de arrabal”, “Silencio”, “Amores de estudiante”, “Cuesta abajo”, “Mi Buenos Aires querido”, “Golondrinas”, “Soledad”, “Caminito soleado”, “Sol Tropical”, “Sus ojos se cerraron”, “Guitarra mía”, “Por una cabeza”, “Arrabal amargo” and “Volver”, among others.
On June 24th 1935, in a fatal accident in Medellín, Colombia, the Gardel died and a myth was born. A myth raising from dazzle, admiration and a voice and smile with the power to move mountains.
