Hear
Roberto “Tito” Cossathe prestigious playwright and author of works such as The ninth, Yepeto, The old servant and Gray of absence, died at 89 years old. A must read for theater lovers, his classics transformed the local scene and transcended borders. A member of the generation protected by the “new realism” that emerged at the end of the 70s, he consolidated himself in the following decade and since then stood out as a reference.
Cossa had had to have a pacemaker put in in recent days because he had a blocked artery, but on Monday he had decompensated and that’s why he was rushed to a clinic, where he was admitted. Until yesterday everything seemed to be progressing well, but this morning he deteriorated and finally his condition became irreversible.
In 1994 Cossa was recognized with the Konex Platinum Award. He also received the National Theater Award of Argentina and the Audience and Critics Award of Spain. In 2007, he was elected president of the General Society of Authors of Argentina and that same year the Legislature of the city of Buenos Aires declared him an illustrious citizen.
Upon hearing the news, Argentores expressed: “With deep regret we say goodbye to the great Argentine playwright Roberto ‘Tito’ Cossa, former president and honorary president of Argentores, and a prominent cultural personality in our country, who died this morning.” And they added: “We send our condolences to his wife María Elena Armentano, his son Mariano Cossa, other family members, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”
On November 30, the National Theater Day and the Independent Theater Day, I would have turned 90. “You live knowing that the last toll has already been paid,” he had told this medium just a few weeks ago regarding being close to turning 90 and had added: “You know that you already have to pack your bags. I am very calm, assisted by María, my wife; She is remarkable how she orders my life. At this point in the game, one reviews his life a lot. Who does not? Mistakes, successes, the good and bad moments, the people who surrounded him.
Recently, the playwright had some vision and mobility problems and that made him leave his home, located in Barrio Norte, very rarely and feel trapped, but he balanced his present with some small treats such as his inevitable afternoon whiskey. listening to the radio or going once a week to Argentores, where he continued promoting activities in the entity’s Culture area.
Nobody remembers Frédéric Chopin anymore, one of his creations is currently on display. It takes place on Saturdays at the Theater The maskwith address of Norberto Gonzalo and a cast made up of Stella Matute, Amancay Espindola, Claudio Pazos, Daniel Dibiase, Leonardo Odierna and Brenda Fabregat. But, also, today it premieres at the Cervantes Theater A handsome man from 900an Argentine classic by Samuel Eichelbaum with an adaptation by Cossa, so surely tonight’s performance will be a very special one.
When LA NACIÓN asked Cossa if he was aware of what his name meant for local theater and national culture, the playwright had responded: “I know that theater people respect me. Maybe, in a few years, my works will continue to be made, that would be my greatest wish.”
Report by Pablo Montagna.
THE NATION
