In this photo of the Quinteto Contrapunto we see, from left to right, Marina Auristela Guanche, Mariela Valladares, Jesús Sevillano, Domingo Mendoza, and Rafael Suárez.
Some time ago, a dear friend suggested that I write about the members of the “Quinteto Contrapunto.”
For most people, the members of “Contrapunto” (as I will refer to this magnificent group in this writing) have been those who appear on the five recorded volumes of the group. However, there were other little-known or unknown members who at some point were part of the quintet. In this particular 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 period 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, cuatro player, arranger, and director).
Shortly after the quintet was formed, Morella Muñoz had to travel to Europe to fulfill previously acquired professional commitments, so Gloris López (mezzo-soprano), a member of the University Choir of the Central University of Venezuela and an Economics student at that institution, joined the group to fill in for Morella’s absence. Records of Gloris López’s time with the quintet can be found in the group’s first recorded volume, as she participated in three of the pieces included: Maracaibera, Amalia Rosa, and Flor de Loto. She also participated in the group’s first national tour. When Morella Muñoz returned to Venezuela, she rejoined the quintet.
In this until now little-known photo of “Contrapunto” we see (from left to right) Glóris López, Aída Navarro, Rafael Suárez (seated), Domingo Mendoza, and Jesús Sevillano.
Rafael Suárez felt somewhat limited by the fact that both female voices in “Contrapunto” were mezzo-sopranos, and it was decided that one of them needed to be replaced by a soprano. Thus Marina Auristela Guanche joined, having received singing lessons from Prof. Lidia Butturini de Panaro, the same singing teacher as Morella Muñoz. With this, the range that the upper voice of the quintet could reach was expanded, allowing for 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 remained stable. This brings us to 1965, when “Contrapunto” made its European tour, achieving great success in England, Italy, among other places visited. Upon returning from that tour, Morella Muñoz decided to leave the quintet.
During the period after the tour—and perhaps the least known in the history of “Contrapunto”—is when we see some little-known or unknown members participate. It was also a quieter time for the quintet, as their first 3 or 4 years of existence had been vertiginous: 4 LPs 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: Jesús Sevillano, Mariela Valladares, Marina Auristela Guanche, Domingo Mendoza, and Rafael Suárez.
Both Mariela and Elvira did not last long in the quintet, and Otilia Rodríguez, a former member of the group “Los Pájaros,” famous at the time, joined. Otilia’s collaborations are recorded on the quintet’s volume 5, the last of their recorded production.
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 (today with a long career as a choral director, composer, and arranger). Efraín was part of the group during the last 9 months of its existence. The final lineup of “Contrapunto” is shown in the following photograph.
From left to right we see, in this presentation of the Quinteto Contrapunto on “Sábado Espectacular” on RCTV, Marina Auristela Guanche, Otilia Rodríguez, Efraín Arteaga, Jesús Sevillano, and Rafael Suárez.
The following members of the Quinteto Contrapunto are no longer with us:
- Rafael Suárez (†September 30, 1971)
- Morella Muñoz (†July 15, 1995)
- Domingo Mendoza (†September 3, 2014)
- Mariela Valladares (†November 6, 2022)
- Marina Auristela Guanche (†December 14, 2024)
- Elvira Yajure (†November 19, 2025)
