Argentine National Anthem: History and Evolution
The First Argentine Anthems
Information Contained in the First Official Anthem
The Gazeta de Buenos Ayres of November 15, 1810, featured a patriotic march composed by a citizen of Buenos Aires, set to music by another citizen. Esteban de Luca, an American regimental sergeant major, wrote the lyrics, and Blas Parera, a Catalan master, composed the music. This celebrated the Argentine army’s victory at Suipacha. Luca’s lyrics were printed and distributed among the people.
For the second anniversary of the First Provisional Government Junta, Ambrosio Luis Morante proposed a theatrical performance at the Colosseum, inspired by the Marseillaise. He wrote a melodrama titled “The May 25.” In the final scenes, the people sang a patriotic march harmonized by Parera. On May 26, the show was performed in Buenos Aires’ Plaza de Mayo, where children sang a three-voice song with music by Parera.
Later, an anonymous patriotic song was published in Argentina.
Conditions for the First Official Hymn (1812)
- Recreate a national sense.
- Inspire the town and regenerate its spirit.
- Promote the practice of public virtues.
- Ensure that men stand and uncover their heads upon hearing it at events and meetings.
Creation of the First Official Hymn
Nomination and Performance
The City Council appointed Manuel García to find a poet. On August 4, García presented Fray Cayetano Rodríguez to the Cabildo, who read a poem he had composed. The poem was approved, and García was instructed to find a composer. Parera was chosen. The official launch was on November 1 (delayed by the Revolution).
The 1813 Assembly and a New Anthem
Motivation for a New Anthem
On March 31, 1813, the Constituent General Assembly met for the first time to achieve independence from Spain. They created the Sovereign Assembly and swore allegiance to the homeland. Following the triumphs of Belgrano, Rondeau, and San Martín (in the Battle of San Lorenzo), they continued drafting laws. To generate greater enthusiasm, they believed a march or song recounting the story of 1810 was essential. They knew the official anthem had been performed on November 1, 1812, but felt it lacked the strength of having been written after the military victories.
Creators of the Definitive Anthem
Vicente López y Planes wrote the lyrics, and Blas Parera composed the music.
Release of the National Anthem
Event Description
During the third anniversary celebration of the May 1810 revolution, between the 24th and 28th, the patriotic marches were sung at the Teatro Coliseo. On the 28th, close to the nation’s joyous celebration, verses by lawyer-poet Vicente López y Planes with music by Parera were sung before the authorities and the public, acquiring the value of national symbols.
Evolution of the Anthem’s Music
Original Music and Esnaola’s Version
The original music began to have several performances by military bands and orchestras. In 1859, band inspector Framarillón, perplexed by the variety of anthems played, commissioned the eminent Argentine composer Juan P. Esnaola to create a version as close to the original as possible.
Later Versions and Standardization
Until 1910, three versions circulated: Leopoldo Carretjer’s, Juan Carlos Serpentini’s, and Pedrell’s. Then, there were three hymns: for brass bands, schools in the province of Buenos Aires, and those dependent on the National Council of Education.
The final version was established in 1928 when the government issued a decree on September 25, recognizing Esnaola’s 1860 arrangement as the official text.
Decrees Regarding the Anthem’s Length
Reason for Abbreviation
For public and official events, as well as in state schools and colleges, it was decreed that only the first and last quartets and the chorus of the song passed by the General Assembly on May 11, 1813, should be sung. This was because it contained statements written with transient purposes, modifying the patriotism of the Spanish people, which were not compatible with international relations of friendship. Consequently, there had been demonstrations calling for the modification of some verses.
Final Decrees Shaping the Anthem
The national government’s decree stated in its first article:
- The official text of the musical version of the Argentine National Anthem is the one made by Esnaola and published in 1860, with the following specifications:
- Key of B-flat.
- Reduced to a single voice part for singing.
- Maintain the beats that interrupt the stanza but avoid rushing.
- The rhythmic grouping corresponds to the word “live.”
Article 6 adopted the official lyrics of the song composed by Vicente López, sanctioned by the Constituent Assembly on May 11, 1813, and reported on May 12 of that year by the Triumvirate governor intendant of the province.
Article 7 adopted the authentic form of the music as the version published in 1860 by Esnaola under the title “Himno Nacional Argentino, music by Blas Parera.”