Mary Amparo Bosch radiated on screen the charisma of the old movie stars. This young woman from Dianense, born on May 31, 1914, made her way into the Spanish film world with her striking voice, characteristic of the zarzuela. Researchers Tony Reig and Miquel Crespo collect their story in 150 years of Music and Ball the Marina Alta.
Her career began in Valencia. In 1932 she was already performing at the Teatro Apolo and at the Sociedad Coral El Micalet in the role of a comic soprano: Bosch was characterised by her high-pitched voice and her self-confidence and grace on stage.
The leap to fame came when the Dianense was 20 years old. The young woman was chosen from among more than 80 applicants to play a role in the film adaptation of the zarzuela The DolorosaThe film is about a young painter named Rafael (Agustín Godoy), who is asked by the monks of a convent to restore the fresco that presides over the monastery chapel and represents the Virgin of Sorrows. During his assignment, Rafael meets Dolores (Rosita Díaz Gimeno), who bears a great resemblance to the figure in the painting and who he uses as a model, and with whom he falls in love.
In this feature film, Bosch played a secondary role as the maid Nicasia. However, she took center stage with a musical scene alongside actor Ramón Cebrián, in which she conveys her charm to the audience.
In this way she received very good reviews in the press: "Amparito Bosch has been a revelation. This has been her first outing in the cinema, and it can be taken for granted that her grace, her attractive sympathy and her gesture, where a charming smile constantly blooms, will elevate her, have elevated her, to the forefront of national cinematography," wrote a journalist in the magazine Sparta November's 20 from 1934.
In the following years, the artist landed roles in four more films, including 6 hours in the sky (1935) and Carnation (1936, adaptation of the zarzuela of the same name), films in which the comic tone predominates.
In 1936, Mary Amparo Bosch was honoured in the city where she grew up. “You all know her. That marvel of grace and charm, that distinguished artist of our cinematography, happy and beautiful hope of the Spanish screen, was born in our city. Dénia gave her her light, a flower of exquisite beauty. Her friends, her family, her loved ones live among us. Her triumph, her success, we consider them as our own,” was stated on the poster announcing the tribute.
On Sunday, March 29, two performances were held in honor of the actress at the Salón Moderno, with her presence at the event.
His last movie was Bohemians, based on another zarzuela. The film was shot in 1937, in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, and the producer, Camile Lemoine, took the negative to Paris where he sold it to the British Gaumont. His reconstructed copy was released in 1939, once the conflict had ended.
During the war, the actress returned to her origins, to the theatre. Bosch participated in collectivized shows organized by UGT-CNT in Valencia. At the end of 1937, she was one of the protagonists of Yes, Yes… Capitol 1937.
During the Franco dictatorship, the Dianense would remain on stage with performances in which her musical variety stood out, interpreting chotis, Andalusian songs, boleros, etc. The artist would visit Dénia frequently, as in 1954, when she performed in the play Bazaar of Melodies.
Finally, Mary Amparo Bosch passed away on November 25, 1995 at the age of 81 in Valencia, the city where she lived. Her films will remain as a memory of this cheerful star with an extraordinary voice.
Source: 150 years of Música i Ball to the Marina Alta.
