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Griseta

Griseta is a Tango written by Enrique Delfino and recorded by Rodolfo Biagi in 1939. The Tango Griseta is written by Enrique Delfino, Rodolfo Biagi has recorded Griseta with the singer Andrés Falgás.
“Griseta,” translating to “Little Gray” in English, evokes the somber shades of twilight in its haunting melody. This piece captures the melancholy and faded elegance of a bygone era, weaving a story of fleeting beauty and unfulfilled dreams. The music dances between shadows and light, reflecting the poignant solitude and wistfulness of a once-vibrant spirit.

Tango

Style

Rodolfo Biagi

Orchestra

Andrés Falgás

Singer

José González Castillo

Author

Enrique Delfino

Composer

1939/10/26

Date

Andrés Falgás
Andrés Falgás
Rodolfo Biagi
Rodolfo Biagi

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Alfredo De Angelis – Como la caperucita – 1950/11/10
Alfredo De Angelis – Milonga celestial – 1964/5/1
Alfredo De Angelis – Muriéndome de amor – 1956/12/11
Alfredo De Angelis – El huracán – 1948/9/21
Alfredo De Angelis – Seis de enero – 1952/10/8
Juan D’Arienzo – El potro – 1949/12/19
Juan D’Arienzo – Pura trampa – 1964/10/2
Juan D’Arienzo – El rey del compás – 1949/12/19
Juan D’Arienzo – De corazón a corazón – 1952/8/13
Juan D’Arienzo – Amor de verano – 1964/11/18
Juan MAGLIO – Milonguero viejo – 1928/4/2
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Brindis para la navidad – 1960/10/14
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Cadenas – 1959/11/23
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Aquellas cartas – 1959/7/8
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Escalas en azul – 1959/6/17
Orquesta Símbolo Osmar Maderna – Fantasía en tango (Sobre motivos de Brahms) – 1958/9/24

Recommended

These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.

Griseta recorded by other Orchestras

Griseta recorded by other Orchestras

1939/10/26 – Queja indiana – Rodolfo Biagi
1939/10/30 – La cicatriz – Juan D-Arienzo
1939/10/31 – Pampa – Juan D-Arienzo
1939/10/13 – Cuartito azul – Osvaldo Fresedo
1939/10/13 – Tango mio – Osvaldo Fresedo
Griseta – 1941/6/21 – Carlos di Sarli – Roberto Rufino
Griseta – 1944/7/31 – Osvaldo Fresedo – Instrumental
Griseta – 1939/10/26 – Rodolfo Biagi – Andres Falgas
Griseta – 1979/6/7 – Armando Pontier – Roberto Goyeneche

Lyrics Translation of the Tango Griseta

This is the translation of the Tango “Griseta” from Spanish to English. The English lyrics of the Tango “Griseta” have been done with AI.

Letra del Tango Griseta

Mezcla rara de Museta y de Mimí
con caricias de Rodolfo y de Schaunard,
era la flor de París
que un sueño de novela trajo al arrabal…
Y en el loco divagar del cabaret,
al arrullo de algún tango compadrón,
alentaba una ilusión:
soñaba con Des Grieux,
quería ser Manon.

Francesita,
que trajiste, pizpireta,
sentimental y coqueta
la poesía del quartier,
¿quién diría
que tu poema de griseta
sólo una estrofa tendría:
la silenciosa agonía
de Margarita Gauthier?

Mas la fría sordidez del arrabal.
agostando la pureza de su fe,
sin hallar a su Duval,
secó su corazón lo mismo que un muguet.
Y una noche de champán y de cocó,
al arrullo funeral de un bandoneón,
pobrecita, se durmió,
lo mismo que Mimí,
lo mismo que Manón.

English lyrics of the Tango "Griseta"

Strange mix of Musetta and Mimi
with caresses from Rodolfo and Schaunard,
she was the flower of Paris
that a novel’s dream brought to the suburb…
And in the crazy wandering of the cabaret,
to the lull of a bold tango,
she nurtured a hope:
she dreamed of Des Grieux,
she wanted to be Manon.

Little French girl,
who brought, lively and flirtatious,
the sentiment and coquettishness
of the neighborhood’s poetry,
who would have thought
that your grisette poem
would only have one stanza:
the silent agony
of Marguerite Gauthier?

But the cold squalor of the suburb,
withering the purity of her faith,
without finding her Duval,
dried her heart just like a lily of the valley.
And one night of champagne and cocaine,
to the funeral lull of a bandoneon,
poor thing, she fell asleep,
just like Mimi,
just like Manon.

Griseta by José González Castillo

Griseta is a Tango written by José González Castillo and composed by Enrique Delfino.



Story behind the Tango Griseta

“Griseta” weaves a narrative rich with elements from French literature and opera. It portrays a young French woman, reminiscent of characters like Musetta from “La Bohème” and Manon from “Manon Lescaut,” who arrives in the Buenos Aires suburbs. Her dreams filled with romantic notions are contrasted starkly by the harsh realities she encounters. The song encapsulates her tragic transformation and ultimate demise, mirroring the fate of Marguerite Gauthier from “La Dame aux Camélias,” revealing a life that promised much but delivered little, with her idealistic aspirations being crushed by the squalor of her surroundings.



Symbolism of Griseta

The title “Griseta,” aligns with the French term “grisette,” historically used to describe young working women known for their relationships with men. This imagery supports the theme of fleeting innocence and lost youth. Key phrases such as “mezcla rara de Museta y de Mimí” (a strange mix of Musetta and Mimí) and “una estrofa tendría: la silenciosa agonía de Margarita Gauthier” (only one stanza would have: the silent agony of Margarita Gauthier) emphasize the tragic transformation of youthful, romantic expectations into despair and solitude. The references to champagne and cocaine nights further symbolize the superficial allure of nightlife, which eventually leads to her downfall.



Griseta in Historical Context

Recorded in 1939, “Griseta” arrives at a time when Tango music was deeply entrenched in the Argentine cultural fabric yet evolving in its expressions. The backdrop of global unrest, with World War II’s onset, might have influenced its themes of disillusionment and loss. Buenos Aires, resonating with European influences and suffering growing pains as a rapidly modernizing city, provided a rich canvas for such poignant character studies, woven seamlessly into Tango’s lyrical traditions.



José González Castillo

José González Castillo was an influential Argentine playwright and tango lyricist known for incorporating profound and dramatic elements into his compositions.