Astrid Achi, remembered by friends and colleagues as the artist who interpreted the ‘Glorious Dawn’, who today share their memories with her

Artists, cultural managers and friends Guayaquil soprano Astrid Achi, who died on September 13 of this year, She is remembered for her talent and work, which led her to get involved in projects such as saving the Antonio Neumana Conservatory, where she was a professor. Furthermore, they claim She was seen beaming during the traditional Salute to the Glorious Dawn, an event in October where she sang Guayaquil’s well-known national anthem, written by José Joaquín de Olmedo, and music by Ana Villamil.

Gloria Gallardo She told this newspaper that she was devastated by her friend’s departure. “For ten years, the melodious and flawless voice of Astrid Achi awakened Guayaquil in her unforgettable Greetings to Slavna Zorawhich takes place every October 9 at the Administrative Square. We will miss him in Glorious Aurora, in lyrical concerts, in all artistic tributes to Guayaquil. It was a blessing and a unique opportunity for honor and recognition “his great value and his outstanding contribution to art and culture,” he stated.

The former president of the Guayaquil Tourism, Citizenship Promotion and International Relations Company called her a worthy representative of the women of Guayaquil. “She will always live in her beloved city and in our hearts” declared.

Achi was unable to participate in this year’s ceremony due to illness. Gallardo says that as soon as he learned of her deteriorating health condition, he contacted the singer’s family to express his solidarity. “Astrid brought a glow to Guayaquil with her beautiful voice. He always beautified the festivities of my city…”, He wrote a few days ago with the wish for his health to improve.

Namely, he had the opportunity to exchange a few words with the teacher, when he showed slight progress in the hospital. “Everything will be perfect. I love you very much and my gratitude to you from here to infinity,” reads part of the message that Gallardo shared with this media.

A singer Hilda Murillo Saavedra, from the United Artists Association, she admitted, “terrified by the departure of our stage partner Astrid Achi. Artists are a family, each of them strives to represent culture. Likewise, when a colleague leaves this world, the pain affects all of us who perform this valuable profession. United Artists Ecuador unites expressions of sympathy his mother (soprano Beatriz Parra Durango), his daughters and other relatives. We pray to God that his soul may be in the heavenly palace where his sweet and gentle voice will join the great voices that have already departed. Goodbye, dear Astrid.”

Cultural manager Gustavo Rivadeneira He joined the expressions of grief and memories. “Astrid and I had many things in common, one of them being Committee of Residents of Barrio del Salado, which I founded and whose residents are her and her mother”, she commented for this newspaper. “Another link was Glorious Dawn, Astrid sang hymns at this ceremony every October 9th and I hosted the event. In general, we were always immersed in the same activities since we both do cultural management.”

He reminded that in 2017, Achi performed a Show at the Guayaquil tennis club and asked him to introduce her. “That’s how I did it, it was nice to do things together, Astrid was a perfectionist, very demanding of herself, and when you follow that line, the result is optimal. I am not a musician, but my uncle Guido Garay was an important lyrical figure in Guayaquil and he claimed that Astrid was the best soprano in Ecuador, Because he had the ability to perform very quickly with his voice a sequence of notes that go up or down in small intervals, requiring a lot of agility and vocal amplitude, he was a miracle!”

Rivadeneira also pointed out that they were together recently at project to save the Antonio Neumane Conservatory. “Life allowed me to count her among my closest friends, and above all, we were a good team, we loved defending vulnerable minorities. Astrid was always determined, a fighter. Brave and strong to the end. The country owes him great recognition for his career. I suggest that the GC theater be named after him, where he so often stood out with his art. We Ecuadorians cannot let her go, we must immortalize her with a worthy recognition.”

Soprano Beatriz Gil Parra He also expressed his regret for the departure of his colleague and friend. “Peeled, the common path we have chosen since childhood“, he wrote. “We shared the same environment, we traveled the same roads, or life. Warrior and fighter to the end. Nothing less could be expected from you. Rest assured that your voice will shine forever. May eternal light shine upon you, Astrid Achi Dávila.”

One of Astrid Achi’s passions was teaching singing. He founded and directed the children’s choir Voces Blancas and the workers’ choir of the municipality of Samborondón.with the aim of creating a nursery of artists.

“Astrid Achi is a key figure in the culture of Guayaquil,” he said EL UNIVERSA columnist Clara Medina. “Great reference in music. Guayaquil remains sad without Astrid’s presence. But his voice will follow us forever. And that is a consolation in the midst of this deep pain that his early departure means.”

Medina added that from a young age, almost from childhood, Achi was completely dedicated to singing, always with the support of her parents, especially her mother. “She studied as a singer of lyrical songs, but she also tried her hand at popular music with notable success. He had a wonderful and versatile voice. He solidly interpreted any musical genre. He also devoted time to teaching and choir conducting. He was very professional in all aspects.”

He said that he had the privilege of knowing her, dealing with her years ago, through his work as a journalist. “And I stopped seeing her for a while. But this year, exactly in the month of July, I met her again thanks to what We are scheduling the presentation of our Municipal Choir of Adults at the Museum of Anthropology and Contemporary Art, MAAC, where do i work “That way I was able to see up close, first-hand, the wonderful work Astrid has done with this group of adults, which she enthusiastically directs.”

On that day, let’s recall, they discussed the continuation of scheduling concerts in various museums. “I saw her shining, full of plans. Little did I imagine that after a few months Astrid would be gone forever. Rest in peace, dear Astrid, and may your voice and your great work be a legacy for your city and your country. Hugs to your dear mother, who was your light, who lost her beloved daughter today, and lots of strength to your daughters.”