Consuelo Tamayo was born in Santa Fe, Granada. She was educated at a convent, and trained to dance and sing there, and in Madrid.[1] At age 14, Consuelo Tamayo married Ramón Tortajada, her music teacher and agent.
Career
La Tortajada toured internationally for more than twenty years, as a popular Spanish dancing and musical act on the vaudeville circuit.[2] She is one of the Spanish dancers credited with introducing the fandango to North American audiences.[3] "Of all the Spanish dancers America has ever seen," commented an American newspaper writer in 1902, "she is far and away the best."[4]
Publicity surrounding La Tortajada focused on violence and passion, reinforcing stereotypes about the "fiery" Spanish temperament.[5] In North America she was billed as "The Lady of the Duels", with publicity suggesting that she was fought over in duels throughout Europe.[6] She had a physical confrontation with a rival over the design of a costume, in 1894.[7]
Personal life
She retired from the stage after 1913[8] and returned to Granada to live in Santa Fe. She was reported to be living in seclusion with her husband and son in 1926.[9] Ramón Tortajada died in 1928.[10] Consuelo Tamayo died in 1957, aged 90 years. There is a street named for her (Calle Consuelo Tamayo la Tortajada) in Santa Fe, Granada.[11]
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