Yma Sumac: a heritage called Peru

“Yma Sumac is the most successful Peruvian exponent in the music industry. Until now, without a doubt,” says Sylvia Falcón, soprano singer and anthropologist, who in 2022 led the tribute for the 100th anniversary of the also remembered actress, composer and musical arranger. As mentioned, Zoila Emperatriz Chávarri Castillo, her original name, continues to be a reference in the lyrical genre due to her vocal range and, furthermore, because she carried the heritage of Peru in her music.

“That tribute for her 100th anniversary of life allowed me to understand more how beautiful and enigmatic her music was,” says Sylvia Falcón. In the exercise of singing her songs, she realized that the repertoire that she was preparing and that Yma Sumac sang so many times, carried the name of Peru from the first to the last note. “Although there was an eloquence of genres such as mambo or world music, added to exotic sounds, her music breathed Peru, and this was also thanks to the arrangements of maestro Moisés Vivanco,” adds the artist, who performed songs like “Ataypura ", "Amor Indio"

The fact is that the efforts of Yma Sumac, together with Moisés Vivanco, set a precedent for traditional music. “The sound of the Peruvian Andes was able to permeate globally. We also have the efforts of Daniel Alomía Robles, composer of 'El cóndor Pasa', who does this academic work of getting to know his land. They were researchers, both composers (Vivanco and Alomía Robles), who were soaked in the Peruvian tradition,” underlines Sylvia Falcón, with pride, about how the efforts of these characters and the voice of Yma Sumac encouraged our music throughout the world.

More than 100 years after her birth, Yma Sumac continues to be a milestone, a muse to which the great lyrical references of the world return to continue learning. At that moment, when the voice of the “Inca Princess” sounds, the sound of Peru and its traditions is also heard.

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