Some time ago, a dear friend suggested that I write about the members of the "Quinteto Contrapunto".

For most, the members of "Contrapunto" (as I will refer to this magnificent group in this writing), have been those who appear in the five albums of the group. However, there were other members who were little known or not known at all who were part of the quintet at some point. In this specific case, I will refer to the members of the original Quinteto Contrapunto, that is, the group that existed between 1962 and 1971. Although some members of the original "Contrapunto" reunited after many years, we must consider this stage separately. Therefore, it is not the subject of this writing.

When "Contrapunto" was formed, the founding members were Aída Navarro (mezzo-soprano), Morella Muñoz (mezzo-soprano), Jesús Sevillano (tenor), Domingo Mendoza (bass), and Rafael Suárez (baritone, cuatrista, arranger, and director).

Shortly after the quintet was established, Morella Muñoz had to travel to Europe to attend previously acquired professional commitments, so Gloris López (mezzo-soprano), a member of the Orfeón Universitario of the Central University of Venezuela and a student of Economics at that institution, joined the group to fill Morella's absence. From Gloris López's time in the quintet, we can find records in the first album of the quintet, as she participated in three of the pieces included in it: Maracaibera, Amalia Rosa, and Flor de Loto. She also participated in the first national tour of the group. When Morella Muñoz returned to Venezuela, she rejoined the quintet.

In this little known photo of "Contrapunto", we appreciate (from left to right) Glóris López, Aída Navarro, Rafael Suárez (seated), Domingo Mendoza, and Jesús Sevillano.

Rafael Suárez feels a bit limited by the fact that the two female voices of "Contrapunto" are mezzo-sopranos, and the need to replace one of them with a soprano is decided. Thus enters Marina Auristela Guanche, who received singing lessons from Prof. Lidia Butturini de Panaro, the same singing teacher of Morella Muñoz. With this, the range that the upper voice of the quintet can reach is expanded, allowing greater flexibility in the arrangements. This change in the components can be observed throughout the next three albums (vol. 2, vol. 3, and vol. 4), in which the members remain stable. This brings us to the year 1965, when "Contrapunto" undertook its European tour, achieving great success in England, Italy, among other places visited. Upon returning from this tour, Morella Muñoz decided to leave the quintet.

During the time after the tour -and perhaps the least known of the history of "Contrapunto"- is when we see the participation of some members little or not known by the majority. It was also a calmer time for the quintet, as its first 3 or 4 years of existence had been dizzying: 4 LP albums recorded, a European tour, not to mention the multiple performances throughout the country. During this stage, mezzo-soprano Mariela Valladares and mezzo-soprano Elvira Yajure joined "Contrapunto". Fortunately, there are photos of the quintet with Mariela Valladares as a member (one of them).

From left to right, we see Jesús Sevillano, Mariela Valladares, Marina Auristela Guánchez, Domingo Mendoza, and Rafael Suárez.

Both Mariela and Elvira did not last long in the quintet, and Otilia Rodríguez joined, a former member of the group "Los Pájaros", famous at that time. Otilia's collaborations are recorded in volume 5 of the quintet, the last of their discography.

At the end of 1970, Domingo Mendoza left the quintet -we have never been able to determine the reasons- and bass Efraín Arteaga joined the group (now with a long career as a choral director, composer, and arranger). Efraín has been part of the group during the last 9 months of its existence. The last formation of "Contrapunto" is shown in the following photograph.

From left to right, we observe in this presentation of the Quinteto Contrapunto on "Sábado Espectacular" on RCTV, Marina Auristela Guánchez, Otilia Rodríguez, Efraín Arteaga, Jesús Sevillano, and Rafael Suárez.