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Griseta

Griseta is a Tango written by Enrique Delfino and recorded by Osvaldo Fresedo in 1944. Osvaldo Fresedo has recorded Griseta as an instrumental Tango.
The name “Griseta” translates to “Little Gray” in English. This evocative title conjures images of evenings steeped in nostalgia, where the gray hues of dusk softly veil the vibrant memories of yesteryear. In its melodies, “Griseta” weaves a delicate tapestry of longing and quiet reflection, capturing the bittersweet essence of life’s fleeting moments.

Tango

Style

Osvaldo Fresedo

Orchestra

Instrumental

Singer

José González Castillo

Author

Enrique Delfino

Composer

1944/7/31

Date

Instrumental
Instrumental
Osvaldo Fresedo
Osvaldo Fresedo

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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

1944/7/31 – Si yo pudiera comprender – Osvaldo Fresedo
1944/7/31 – De igual a igual – Alfredo De Angelis
1944/7/31 – La guitarrera – Alfredo De Angelis
1944/8/1 – Me estan sobrando las penas – Anibal Troilo
1944/8/1 – Rosa de Tango – Anibal Troilo
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

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"

Odd mix of Musetta and Mimi,
with caresses from Rodolfo and Schaunard,
she was the flower of Paris
that a dream of a novel brought to the suburbs…
And in the mad wandering of the cabaret,
to the lull of some daring tango,
she fostered a dream:
dreamt of Des Grieux,
wanted to be Manon.

Little French girl,
who you brought, flirtatious,
sentimental and coquettish,
the poetry of the quartier,
who would have guessed
that your grisette’s poem
would only have one verse:
the silent agony
of Marguerite Gauthier?

But the cold sordidness of the suburbs,
withering the purity of her faith,
without finding her Duval,
dried her heart just like a lily.
And one night of champagne and cocaine,
to the funereal lull of a bandoneon,
poor little thing, 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” is a narrative that delves into the life of a Parisian woman, referred to with the diminutive nickname Griseta, suggesting something petite and delicate. This woman embodies characteristics of famous opera characters like Musetta from ‘La Bohème’ and Manon from ‘Manon Lescaut.’ Her life is one of love, characterized by the passionate yet doomed relationships these opera characters endure. The poignant tale unfolds in a Buenos Aires suburb where the dreams of her past fade amidst the darker realities of her present life.



Symbolism of Griseta

The song uses vivid symbolism through characters from popular operas to highlight Griseta’s fading life, engulfed by the harsh suburban lifestyle. The lyrics “secó su corazón lo mismo que un muguet” suggest the withering of lily flowers, symbolizing her fading purity and joy. The mention of “champán y de cocó” in her final moments evokes images of a superficial and fleeting high life that ultimately leads to her demise — alone and forgotten, akin to the tragic heroines of her favorite operas.



Griseta in Historic Context

Recorded in 1944, right in the heart of World War II, “Griseta” reflects not only the local Argentinian culture of tango but also the global resonance of European influences in Argentina. During this era, European immigration had brought various cultural impacts to Buenos Aires, making themes from famous operas relatable. The tango presents a romantic yet tragic assimilation of Parisian bohemian aesthetics within the context of Argentine urban sorrow, showcasing a poignant cultural hybrid during a time of global turmoil.



José González Castillo

José González Castillo was a prominent Argentine playwright and lyricist, known for his deep involvement in the development of Argentine theater and tango music.


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