Se estivesse vivo hoje 9 de junho, Cole Porter, um dos mais emblemáticos, polêmicos e geniais compositores da história da musica da humanidade, bem a seu estilo, estaria dando uma festa pelo passagem do seu aniversário, cuja noticias dos acontecimentos do acepipe envolvendo os representantes da nata do "jetset", ocupariam amanhã, os espaços das principais colunas sociais de Paris a Londres, de Nova York a Tokio, de Sidney ao Rio de Janeiro.
Não existe exagero nesta suposição. A vida de Cole foi pontilhada por eventos de extrema grandeza, excessos e tragédia, alternada e constantemente.
Como compositor revolucionou compondo canções para as peças musicais de grande sucesso da Broadway que acabaram sendo eternizadas na voz de grandes cantores populares como Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby e Nat King Cole. Estabeleceu polemica ao abordar temas proibidos em uma época em que os mesmos eram apenas sussurrados nos salões reservados, jamais expostos, da maneira que ele fez compondo com genialidade sobre a prostituição em "Love for Sale", a cocaina em "I Get a Kick Out of You", homosexualismo em "Night and Day" e "My Heart Belongs to Daddy".
Estive em sua cidade natal, Peru, Indiana onde prestei homenagem a ele, colocando um ramalhete de flôres sôbre seu túmulo no Mount Hope Cemetery, marcado por uma espécie de menir que o distingue de todos os outros, de cor cinza bem claro. Ele repousa entre sua esposa Linda e mãe Kate.
Visitei a casa de seu nascimento, agora transformada em museu, onde estão expostas à visitação publica, partituras originais, pianos, roupas, fotos, troféus e o carro Cadillac que levava consigo nas viagens ao exterior.
Para entender melhor o por que dele merecer tanta admiração, veja o filme "De-lovely" estrelado por Kevin Kline como Cole Porter e Ashley Judd no papel de Linda sua esposa e a participação especial de Diana Krall, Alanis Morissete, Elvis Costello, Robbie William, Sheryl Crow e Vivian Green que cantam as mais belas cançãos compostas por Cole.
Faço minhas as palavras de um morador de Peru, que me disse: He's the one and only.
Clique para ouvir duas belas canções de Cole Porter com Kevin Kline.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcMxlpOJ_6I
One of America’s finest composer-lyricists Cole Porter was born on June 9, 1891,in Peru, Indiana. Cole had the rare ability to compose beautiful melodies and combine them with clever, sophisticated lyrics. The 'Cole Porter' name came from the surnames of his parents, Kate Cole and Sam Porter.
One of America’s finest composer-lyricists Cole Porter was born on June 9, 1891,in Peru, Indiana. Cole had the rare ability to compose beautiful melodies and combine them with clever, sophisticated lyrics. The 'Cole Porter' name came from the surnames of his parents, Kate Cole and Sam Porter.
Kate's father, James Omar Porter (called J. O.) was the son of a shoemaker. J.O's work ethic made him the wealthiest man in Indiana. His wife, Rachel Henton, presented him with several children; Kate Cole was born in 1862. While growing up, Kate enjoyed all the advantages of being the sibling of a very wealthy man, including musical study where she mastered the piano.
Porter entered Yale University, where he eventually led the glee club and wrote football songs. His "Yale Bulldog" and "Bingo Eli Yale" are still popular Yale 'fight' songs today. Some biographers have noted that it was during the late years at Worcester, and early years at Yale, that Cole's homosexuality began to predominate.
Cole wrote his first Broadway musical score, 'See America First' (1916), written in collaboration with Lawrason Riggs. It was a dismal flop. (Clifton Webb was the star.)
In July of 1917, when America entered WW1, Cole sailed to Paris, France. Cole enjoyed Paris immensely. He lived in a truly sumptuous, beautifully furnished apartment that became the meeting place of the French social elite. It was here that he met and, after the war married, Linda Lee Thomas, an American divorcee.
In July of 1917, when America entered WW1, Cole sailed to Paris, France. Cole enjoyed Paris immensely. He lived in a truly sumptuous, beautifully furnished apartment that became the meeting place of the French social elite. It was here that he met and, after the war married, Linda Lee Thomas, an American divorcee.
On December 19, 1919, Cole married Linda Thomas. It was an interesting marriage. Linda's ex husband had been abusive; Cole was a homosexual. Still, the marriage allowed Linda to maintain her social status, and being married increased Cole's chances for public acceptance. It turned out to be a somewhat happy, albeit sexless, marriage, which ended with Linda's demise in 1954. During that time, Linda remained one of his best supporters.
In 1928 E. Ray Goetz asked Porter to write the music for a Broadway musical 'Paris'. The show's hit song, "Let's Do It", established Cole's identity as a sophisticated and cultured composer and lyricist.
'Kiss Me Kate'. This Broadway show had a run of over 1000 performances. After it's national tour, it opened in Europe. It was the biggest hit in the Vienna Volksopera's 50 year history. It was the first American musical ever presented in Poland. (It sold out the house 200 times!)
'Kiss Me Kate'. This Broadway show had a run of over 1000 performances. After it's national tour, it opened in Europe. It was the biggest hit in the Vienna Volksopera's 50 year history. It was the first American musical ever presented in Poland. (It sold out the house 200 times!)
A tremendous amount of Porter's work was accomplished under conditions of intense pain and suffering. In 1937, while horseback riding, on Long Island, New York, an accident left him with crushed legs and nerve tissue. Over the ensuing years, he underwent more than 30 operations trying to save his legs. He was hospitalized for over two years, and was confined to a wheelchair for more than five years. In 1958, his right leg was amputated. The great bulk of his sprightly, happy hit songs were written while he was in this condition of pain and grief.
Cole died in the fall of 1964, at 73 years of age. Some reports say he was buried between his wife Linda and his father Sam Porter. Other reports have him buried between his mother Kate and his wife Linda.
Cole Porter is a member of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.
Reference - Cole's Site
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