Olvidao by Enrique Cadícamo

Olvidao is a Tango written by Enrique Cadícamo and composed by Guillermo Barbieri.

Story behind the Tango Olvidao

“Olvidao” portrays the tragic tale of a newlywed, Conteras, who is fatally wounded when his wife is taken by another man, Juan Luz Mala, during their wedding celebration at ‘La Hazaña’ ranch. As Conteras lies dying, he speaks to his bride, trying to calm her while expressing his impending loneliness in death. He requests her to remember him with flowers and visits, fearing the cold isolation of the grave. The story concludes with the widow initially mourning excessively only to later forget her husband, leading his spirit to hauntingly compel her to remember and join him during stormy nights.

Symbolism of Olvidao

The title “Olvidao,” meaning “Forgotten” in English, reflects the main theme of abandonment in death. The stark contrast between the warmth of the wedding and the coldness of death is symbolized by the “cold breeze” Conteras feels on his heart. Flowers, typically symbols of affection and remembrance, embody Conteras’s plea not to be forgotten. The recurring storms, potentially symbolic of emotional turmoil, amplify the ghostly calls of Conteras, underscoring the ongoing struggle between remembrance and oblivion.

Olvidao in historic Context

Recorded in Argentina in 1932, “Olvidao” emerges during a period marked by political upheaval and cultural transformation. The tango serves as an emotional outlet and a narrative form encapsulating individual and collective struggles. During this era, Tango was evolving, mirroring societal changes and often reflecting themes of loss, nostalgia, and the human condition, prevalent under the socio-economic conditions of early 20th-century Argentina.

Enrique Cadícamo

Enrique Cadícamo was a renowned Argentine poet and tango lyricist, notable for his profound contributions to the genre of tango with themes often centered around love, betrayal, and sorrow.