Famous Argentine Musicians

Daniel Barenboim is a pianist and conductor currently serving as the general music director of the Berlin State Opera and the Staatskapelle Berlin. He has previously been the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, and La Scala in Milan. He is a recipient of Spain's Prince of Asturias Concord Award among others.

Legendary Argentine rockstar Gustavo Santaolalla started his career as the founder of the band Arco Iris. He is also an Academy Award-winning film composer and has composed for iconic movies such as Brokeback Mountain, Babel, and The Motorcycle Diaries. He has also been named to the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Gustavo Cerati was one of the finest South American singers and one of the pioneers of Ibero-American rock. He headed the popular pop-rock trio Soda Stereo and later also penned lyrics and recorded for artists such as Shakira. He died at age 55, after a stroke and a 4-year coma.

Lalo Schifrin is an Argentine-American composer, pianist, conductor, and arranger. A multiple time Academy Award nominee and five-time Grammy Award winner, Schifrin is renowned for his TV and film scores since the 1950s. Best known for his compositions like the Mission: Impossible theme and collaborations with stars like Clint Eastwood, Lalo Schifrin was awarded an Honorary Oscar in 2019. 

Carlos Gardel was a French Argentine composer, singer-songwriter, and actor. Widely regarded as the most important personality in the history of tango, Gardel is the world's most famous tango singer of all time. Remembered for his baritone voice, Gardel is often referred to as The King of Tango. His life inspired the 1939 musical film, The Life of Carlos Gardel.

Osvaldo Golijov is an Argentine composer and music professor. Apart from composing classical music, Golijov also composes soundtracks for films and documentaries. Best known for his orchestral work, Golijov has been honored with several prestigious awards and recognition, such as Guggenheim Fellowship, MacArthur Fellowship, Grammy Awards, and Vilcek Prize in Music.

Argentine operatic tenor Jose Cura initially trained as an orchestral conductor but later soared to fame with his roles in operas such as Verdi’s Otello and Stiffelio. With Cavalleria Rusticana, he became the second tenor in the history of the Metropolitan Opera to make his debut on the opening night.

Julio Sosa was a Uruguayan Argentinian singer best remembered as an exponent of tango. He achieved popularity after becoming a part of the Argentine orchestra, Orquesta Francini-Pontier, which was formed by the famous violinist Enrique Mario Francini. Sosa is also remembered for his love for sports cars; he died at age 38 after crashing a DKW coupé at high speed. 

Horacio Ferrer was a Uruguayan-Argentine poet, reciter, broadcaster, and tango lyricist. He is best remembered for his collaboration with tango composer Astor Piazzolla; Ferrer contributed by composing the lyrics for many of Piazzolla's tangos, such as Chiquilín de Bachín and Balada para un loco.