The Cuban violinist, singer, and composer Martha Duarte Mustelier passed away on August 27 in Lugano, Switzerland, at the age of 68. The news was confirmed by her daughter Afrika Duarte, who shared a heartbreaking farewell message from that city just a few hours after her passing.
Afrika Duarte announced the loss on Facebook with words that reflected the depth of her pain: “With a broken heart and a profound sorrow that feels like it’s suffocating and consuming me every minute, I greet you, dear mother […] Today you decided, because I would like to think this decision was yours, to leave this earthly world and rest forever.” The young woman described her mother as “my warrior, my best friend, the strongest woman I ever knew, with a profound intelligence and an elegance that captivated” and “the most beautiful violin I have ever heard in my life.”
Martha Duarte occupied a unique place in the history of Cuban music: she was the first woman to graduate in the specialty of violin from the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Cuba, as noted by close personalities such as the troubadour Frank Delgado and the musicologist Rosa Marquetti.
His career spanned numerous areas of music on the island. He was a member of the Camerata Brindis de Salas, one of the prominent chamber music ensembles of the time, whose first director was the Bulgarian violinist and educator Radosvet Anto Boyadjiev. He was also part of the Orchestra of the Great Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Havana, where he served as the first violin, and performed as a soloist with the National Folkloric Ensemble of Cuba. In 1985, he joined the rock group Arte Vivo as a violinist and singer, with which he toured Cuba and performed internationally.
In 1990, he founded Vidrio y Corte, a project where he fused jazz and song with elements of rock and funk. Years later, he created Martha Duarte y Sarabanda, a group that combined Cuban rhythms with jazz and contemporary sounds, becoming one of the central projects of his career. In 2001, he released the album "Mulata de Espalda" with Sarabanda, where he served as director, editor, and producer.
In 2005, Martha Duarte and Sarabanda recorded "Preludio y fuga con tumbao," a version of Fritz Kreisler's "Preludio y Allegro" in which Duarte transferred elements of counterpoint writing to Afro-Cuban jazz, incorporating montuno, chachachá, and improvisation.
According to the profile of Rosa Marquetti, in the field of composition, "Martha also contributed to Cuban cinematography: one of her works is part of the soundtrack of the film 'El siglo de las luces' by Humberto Solás. Much sought after for many recordings due to her remarkable interpretative quality, Martha applied her violin to the music of numerous ballets, theater plays, documentaries, shorts, and productions from the International School of Film and TV in San Antonio de los Baños."
The troubadour Frank Delgado shared a lengthy and heartfelt message on Facebook regarding his friendship with the artist. “I couldn't believe yesterday's post from my friend Hilda Maria Alonso. With just turned 68, Martha Duarte Mustelier has left us orphans of strings,” wrote the singer-songwriter, who met her in the 80s in Havana.
Delgado recalled that Martha was involved with the Nueva Trova from a very young age, both in recordings and concerts. The troubadour mentioned a particularly memorable moment: the premiere of her song "Patrimonio de la Humanidad" at a Sunday gathering in the El Sótano Theatre, where Martha performed an improvised violin solo based on a melody that Delgado had hummed to her. "His solo was earth-shattering and transcendent. The audience applauded immensely, not for me, not for the song, but for that perfectly tuned and dramatic octave," he wrote.
Friends and colleagues expressed their condolences on social media. Hilda Maria Alonso described her as someone who "set trends in this city, her outfits, hairstyles, accessories, and gestures were unique." Musician Sergio García Romero said she was "a very special woman, intelligent, beautiful, fun, approachable, and a friend to her friends." The passing of Martha Duarte adds to the loss of other Cuban musicians who have passed away in recent months, such as Julito Noroña from the orchestra Los Van Van in May and Jorge Gómez, founder of Grupo Moncada, in March.
His remains will be laid to rest starting at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 31, at the cemetery in Minusio, a town adjacent to Lugano, where the funeral will be held at 3:00 PM. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
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