A media luz by Carlos Lenzi

A media luz is a Tango written by Carlos Lenzi and composed by Edgardo Donato.

Story behind the Tango A media luz

The tango “A media luz” talks about intriguing, somewhat clandestine meet-ups, framed in an environment set for romantic escapes. The lyrics describe a scene within small, apartment-like settings at specific addresses, furnished comfortably for intimacy and secrecy. Here the atmosphere is ripe with the potential for love, shaded in half-light which camouflages and softens the progression into romantic interludes.

Symbolism of A media luz

The phrase “A media luz,” which translates to “in half-light,” symbolizes the nuances and subtlety needed for romantic encounters, evoking a sense of confidentiality, intimacy, and muted passion. Half-light softens flaws and imperfections, lending everything a more romantic, dreamlike quality, essential in fostering the mood of the lyrics’ suggested meetings. The repeated emphasis on items like the porcelain cat—to maintain silence—and the carpets that “do not make noise” underscore the depth of discreetness and the lengths taken to maintain the secrecy of these romantic trysts.

A media luz in historic Context

The historical and geographical backdrop of Argentina in the mid-1950s, when this Tango was recorded, might reflect a society with strict social mores and perhaps a touch of rebellion against these norms. During this period Buenos Aires, where the tango emerged, was a city experiencing rapid growth and cultural influx. Addressing rendezvous discreetly suggests dancing between the lines of acceptable public behavior and private desires, typical in an era and location where appearances in society mattered immensely.

Carlos Lenzi

Carlos Lenzi was a renowned tango lyricist known for his collaboration with various musicians creating classics that resonated well within the genre.