# Maria Carpena

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Maria_Carpena
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Maria_Carpena.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Carpena
> Source revision: 1355185324
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Maria Carpena** (October 22, 1886 – March 8, 1915) was a Filipina stage actress and soprano singer. She was the first recording artist in the Philippine music industry. She was also dubbed as the country's “Nightingale of [Zarzuela](/source/Zarzuela)”.[1][2]

## Early and personallife

Carpena was born in [Santa Rosa](/source/Santa_Rosa,_Laguna), [La Laguna](/source/Laguna_(province)), to rice farmer Camilio Carpena and Maria Evangelista. She was their eighth child.[3]

Carpena started singing at an early age. She was a [soprano](/source/Soprano) in a choir at a nearby church. She pursued music despite her father's stern disapproval.[3]

Carpena married horse-drawn carriage maker Jose Carpena in 1902. Two years later, she was widowed with two children, Maria Dolores known as Florita and Jaime Alcantara.[4]

As Carpena rose to fame, she met a married fan whom she eventually had an affair with. They had a son, Mauro Carpena, on March 12, 1908.[1][4]

## Education and career

Despite being disowned by her father, Carpena moved to [Manila](/source/Manila) to study at [Colegio de Santa Rosa](/source/Colegio_de_Santa_Rosa) and learned music from composer Fulgencio Tolentino. She stayed at the college convent and helped with chores and embroidery to obtain education. She was a member of the college choir and was also a soloist.[2][3]

At 15 years old, Carpena performed her debut concert in [Zorrilla Theatre](/source/Zorrilla_Theatre) and became a celebrity overnight. She was later discovered by playwright and zarzuela producer [Severino Reyes](/source/Severino_Reyes). She was paired with Victorino Carrion for *Walang Sugat* and since then their tandem became popular. Carpena starred in many plays such as *Lukso ng Dugo*, *Minda Mora* and *La Confianza Mata al Hombre*. She quit her studies when she got married but continued performing onstage.[5]

In 1908, Carpena was invited to the United States by [Governor-General](/source/Governor-General_of_the_Philippines) [General Howard Taft](/source/William_Howard_Taft) and she recorded her songs under [Victor Recording Company.](/source/Victor_Talking_Machine_Company) She was accompanied by the Molina orchestra. Carpena's first solo, *[Ang Maya](/source/Ang_Maya)*, was recorded in a makeshift studio in [Manila Hotel](/source/Manila_Hotel).[1][3]

Carpena was the first superstar of the Philippine music industry. Professor [Otley H. Beyer](/source/H._Otley_Beyer) commented on her that: "She was a real nightingale. She would sing at the [Luneta](/source/Luneta) to 20,000 people and her voice would be heard clear through [Manila Hotel](/source/Manila_Hotel)."[3][4][6][7]

Carpena did not receive formal training and never learned how to read sheet music. She [played music by the ear](/source/Playing_by_ear).[1][4]

## Death

Carpena died on March 8, 1915, due to complications caused by an appendectomy. She was 28 years old, and was buried at the [La Loma Cemetery](/source/La_Loma_Cemetery).[2]

## References

1. ["9 Kickass Women in Philippine History You've Never Heard Of"](https://filipiknow.net/extraordinary-filipinas-in-history/). *FilipiKnow*. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

1. Pa-a, Saul. ["Sta. Rosa, Laguna honors 1st Filipino soprano recording artist"](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083969). *Philippine News Agency*. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

1. ["Filipinas Heritage Library | Featured Artist: Maria Carpena"](https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/himig/featured-artist-maria-carpena). *Filipinas Heritage Library*. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

1. ["Sabangan 2"](https://issuu.com/pwupublications/docs/sabangan_2). PWU Publications. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

1. Corong, Sol. ["Fulfilled Dreams After a Century"](https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-times/20090731/281822869805146). *Manila Times*. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

1. ["THE TIONGCO BROTHERS TALK ABOUT THEIR STA. ROSA - MyCityMySM"](http://mycitymysm.com/tiongco-brothers-talk-about-sta-rosa/). *mycitymysm.com*. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

1. Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (17 December 2019). ["Who's who: All the Filipino women in U2's concert tribute"](https://interaksyon.philstar.com/celebrities/2019/12/17/158970/u2-bono-philippines-women-tribute-concert/). *Interaksyon*. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Maria Carpena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Carpena) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Carpena?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.