Cristino Báez Monges

Harpist and Composer

        He was born in Hyaty, today Félix Pérez Cardozo, December 5 1930. Their first steps in the music began next to Ramón Pérez, encouraging merry-go-rounds in their native town. Their first teacher was Niño'í -arpista of the area - and then Juan Crisóstomo. Starting from 1946 it was integral of the Group of the Hermanos Arroyo, up to 1955. He settled down in Asunción acting in centers nocturne as the Ideal bar, Asunción's Casino, Amambay and others. In 1956 it was part of the artistic cast of the pélicula The thunder among the leaves, directed by Armando Bo. Toward ends of the decade of the 50 it developed artistic activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina encouraging in theaters in the Buenos Aires cinemas, next to other outstanding Paraguayan musicians. He returned to the Paraguay in 1959 forming their group that was presented up to 1972 in The Clandria and other scenarios.

        It integrated the artistic delegation of Alberto of Luqe for tours for Sudáfrica and in the last years of their life he was devoted to the production and sale of musical instruments, mainly harps and guitars. It recorded numerous disks and due to their great virtuosity he announced it to him as << the hands witches of the harp >>.

        Among their compositions they stand out: To sing of the wind, I am Guaireño, Avy'a jave, Adrianita, Cerro Akatti, Mitakuña jukyte, The mita sapukái, My distant mother and it Dances guaireña.

        He died in Asunción April 2 1987.