Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina – Historia de la laringe y el corazón de dos tenores

Podcast: Todo Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Episode: Acontece que no es poco | Historia de la laringe y el corazón de dos tenores
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: January 4, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode, guided by the unique and witty lens of Nieves Concostrina, explores the extraordinary posthumous fates of two legendary opera tenors: Julián Gayarre and Giuseppe Anselmi. Focusing on the peculiar journeys of Gayarre’s larynx and Anselmi’s heart, the episode blends humor, curiosity, and a touch of the macabre to address how these body parts became historic (and somewhat bizarre) museum artifacts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Two Tenors: Tragedy and Tribute

Julián Gayarre and the Journey of His Larynx

• Introductory Context

  • Gayarre was considered the world’s greatest tenor in his era, dying unexpectedly at 45, at the peak of his career (01:06–02:07).
  • His death in Madrid in 1890 shocked not only Madrid, but also his home region, Navarra, and, in particular, his hometown, Roncal.
  • “Mucho cariño, mucho sentimiento iba ahí. Mucho de todo se llevó Julián Gallarre, pero lo que no se llevó fue su laringe.” (02:07, Nieves)

• Why His Larynx Was Removed

  • The larynx was extracted post-mortem for scientific study—to decode the source of his extraordinary voice (03:35).
  • Dr. Cortezo, a friend, obtained the larynx for study; Dr. Amalio Gimeno, tasked with examining it, delivered a melodramatic, poetic description:
    • “Esa cajita de música que con tanta pasión había vibrado en vida, nos pareció un sueño obvio.” (04:18, Dr. Amalio Gimeno cited by Nieves)
    • Nieves comments on the excessive lyricism: “No sé si se puede decir más cursiladas en una descripción anatómica de una laringe.” (04:39, Nieves)

• Scientific Findings

  • No real anatomical explanation was found for Gayarre’s vocal magic—only minor irregularities were discovered, e.g., asimmetry and a deformed vocal cord (05:14).
  • “Yo puedo tener una laringe simétrica y canto como un pedo. No tiene nada que ver.” (05:25, Nieves)

• A Traveling Relic

  • After the study, the larynx's custody changed hands:
    • From Madrid’s Teatro Real → Pamplona (Navarra claimed regional ownership) → Roncal (hometown demanded it).
    • Result: Visitors today must go to Roncal’s cemetery for Gayarre’s mausoleum, and to the Casa Museo to see his larynx (06:53).

Giuseppe Anselmi and the Odyssey of His Heart

• Setting the Scene

  • Anselmi, an Italian tenor famed for his looks and voice, enters the story in 1924 when Madrid’s Teatro Real was gathering artifacts for a new museum (06:58).
  • The director, Luis París, requests a memorabilia donation.
  • Anselmi’s Dramatic Response:
    • “Pues bien, dicto disposiciones testamentarias para que tú lo deposites junto al busto del divino Gayarre.” (08:08, Letter cited by Nieves)
    • He promises, in his will, to bequeath his heart to the museum, inspired by Gayarre’s larynx already being exhibited there.

• Fulfilling the Odd Bequest

  • Four years later, Anselmi dies of pneumonia, just 52 (08:42).
  • His heart is extracted (as per testament), preserved in formaldehyde and sent to Madrid via diplomatic channels.

• A Near Disaster and Rescue

  • A Spanish minister, Eduardo Callejo, insists on inspecting the heart—clumsily breaking the seal and endangering its preservation (09:30).
  • Experts quickly move to save it by momifying the heart before display, thus fulfilling Anselmi’s wishes “hasta el final. Pero vamos, a rajatabla.” (10:19, Nieves)

• Civil War Turmoil and Final Destiny

  • When civil war erupts, the Teatro Real becomes a military site; a nationalist bombing leaves the heart’s fate in jeopardy (10:30).
  • “Menos mal que la laringe de Gayarre ya había salido para Pamplona unos años antes. Por eso se salvó.” (10:47, Nieves)
  • The museum’s director, Fernando José de Larra, painstakingly searches the rubble and recovers Anselmi’s heart (11:00).
  • Eventually, with the creation of the National Theatre Museum in Almagro (1989), the heart is permanently relocated there.

• A Touching Epilogue

  • In 1994, Mario Anselmi, Pepino’s 72-year-old son, visits Almagro to see his father’s preserved heart—bringing a poignant human closure (11:42–12:30).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the removal and journey of Gayarre’s larynx:
  • “Se la retiraron para estudiarla... Cuando Gallarre todavía estaba vivo, estaba feo estudiar en la laringe.” (03:35, Nieves)
• On the futility of scientific findings:
  • “Nada que explicara por qué cantaba tan bien... Yo puedo tener una laringe simétrica y canto como un pedo.” (05:14, Nieves)
• Anselmi’s grand gesture:
  • “En él están grabadas con indelebles caracteres las palabras España, Fe, gratitud, amor... que tú lo deposites junto al busto del divino Gayarre.” (08:08)
• Comedic aside:
  • “Parece que esta sección la va a patrocinar hoy la Organización Nacional de Trasplantes.” (02:58, Nieves)
• On honoring last wishes:
  • “Yo creo que es el ejemplo perfecto de cómo llevaron las últimas voluntades hasta el final.” (10:14, Co-host)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro and Setting the Mood: 00:18–01:06
• Julián Gayarre’s Life and Death: 01:06–02:07
• Larynx Story: 02:07–06:53
• Giuseppe Anselmi’s Heart: 06:58–11:00
• Civil War and the Museum: 11:00–11:42
• Epilogue: Anselmi’s Son Visits: 11:42–12:30

Flow and Tone

Nieves Concostrina imbues the episode with characteristic humor and irreverence, even in describing morbid or odd historical episodes. There is an undercurrent of affection for the eccentricity of history, and the human need to preserve “relics” of genius. The storytelling is full of sharp, witty asides and affectionate irony.

Final Thoughts

This episode colorfully recounts the bizarre fates of two legendary tenors’ remains, drily exposing the sometimes curious ways societies memorialize greatness. It’s an entertaining journey through Spanish (and operatic) history—with a unique twist only Concostrina could deliver.