Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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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.
Milonguita (Esthercita) is a Tango written by Samuel Linnig and composed by Enrique Delfino.
The tango ‘Milonguita (Esthercita)’ tells the poignant story of a young girl named Estercita who transforms into Milonguita, a symbol of night-time entertainment and cabaret life. Originally the most beautiful girl in Chiclana, she reminisced about her simpler, joyous past through the strands of her braided hair kissed by sunlight. However, as she explores the nightlife, her dreams and youthful innocence are marred by men’s ill-treatment, leading her to long for the simplicity of wearing plain percal cloth.
The central symbol in this tango is Milonguita herself, representing both the glamor and the underlying sadness of cabaret life. Her transformation from Estercita to Milonguita symbolizes a loss of innocence and the harsh realities of adult life. The phrases “flower of night and pleasure” and “flower of luxury and cabaret” contrast strikingly with her desire to “dress in percal,” symbolizing a yearning to return to a more innocent, uncomplicated life. The repeated references to the cold she feels when leaving the cabaret at dawn and her involuntary tears, mistaken for champagne, poignantly illustrate her internal desolation and despair.
Recorded in 1968, “Milonguita (Esthercita)” reflects on the societal attitudes of mid-20th century Argentina. During this era, tango was not only a dance but a narrative medium that often reflected on social issues, including the exploitation and objectification of women. The character of Milonguita embodies the struggles of many women who were lured by the bright lights of cabaret with the hope of a better life, only to find themselves in vulnerable and exploitative situations. This song uses its melancholic melody and heartfelt lyrics to cast a critical eye on these social dynamics, showing the underbelly of Argentinean nightlife.
Samuel Linnig was an Argentine poet known for his evocative and often poignant tango lyrics that captured the complexity of human emotions and societal issues.