Look up amar in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Amar may refer to:

• Amar (film), a 1954 Hindi-language Indian film
• Ludu Daw Amar (1915–2008), Burmese writer
• "Amar" (song), a song by 2B, which represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005
• Amar, India, a village in Gujarat
• Amar, Lorestan, a village in Iran
• Amar (singer), British Indian singer
• Amar (surname), a common Israeli surname
• Amar, Syria

See also[link]

• Amal (disambiguation)
• Ammar (name)
• Amarnath (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2012)

Luan Santana
Show in São Paulo, 2010
Background information
Born	13 March 1991
Origin	Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Genres	Sertanejo universitário, pop
Occupations	Singer
Labels	Universal Music Brazil
Website	http://www.luansantana.com.br/

Luan Domingos Rafael Santana (born 13 March 1991; Portuguese pronunciation: [luˈɐ̃ sɐ̃ˈtɐ̃nɐ]) is a Brazilian singer^[1] and composer of sertanejo universitário music.

Currently Santana has one of the most expensive concert fees in the country, charging about R$300,000 per performance.^{[citation needed]} His first live album was a bestseller throughout 2010, selling over 500,000 copies.^{[citation needed]} It remains among the best-selling albums in Brazil. His second album was recorded live in December 2010 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro and will be released in 2011.^{[dated info]} The first single, "Adrenalina", a song that hit the top spot on the Billboard charts. The second single from this album Química Do Amor features Bahian singer Ivete Sangalo.

Biography[link]

Santana was born in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. He began singing at age three in his hometown. After realizing his talent, his father gave him a guitar to further encourage his musical skill.

Career[link]

In recording his second CD, Santana decided that work would live and record in the cities in Brazil where his shows were performed. Once the CD was finished, two songs "Tô de Cara"and "Meteoro" became hits as he became on of the most played artists on Brazilian radio.^{[citation needed]} Over a few weeks the video of "Meteor" had 17 million hits on YouTube.^{[citation needed]} In summer 2009, Santana broke attendance records for the cities where he performed.^{[citation needed]} Santana was invited to participate in "Rodeo of Barry. He performs at cowboy festivals and agricultural exhibitions throughout Brazil. In 2009 Santana performed 300 concerts in Brazil, with an average of 25 presentations per month. Santana launched his first DVD, recorded in August 2009 in Native Nations Park.

Luan Santana's performance

In February 2010, Santana was hospitalized in the city of Araranguá, Santa Catarina, with sharp stomach pains and was diagnosed with gastroenteritis combined with a virus. In January 2010 Luan Santana made an appearance as himself on Malhação, the Rede Globo Novela. He also participated in the first Teen Idol Sertanejo.

Santana's second live album entitled Luan Santana Live in Rio, was recorded in December 2010 at the HSBC Arena in Barra da Tijuca, western Rio de Janeiro. The singer unveiled 15 new songs, including "A Bússola", "Não Era Pra Ser", "Super Herói" and "Palácios e Castelos". Singer Ivete Sangalo joined him to debut "Química do Amor". Additionally, Luan performed other songs from his first three albums. Under the guidance of illusionist Issao Imamura, the singer "flew" up to the ceiling of the arena, lifted by a steel rope. He also performed alongside Spanish singer Belinda with the song "Meu Menino, Minha Menina" and with the Brazilian duo Zezé di Camargo & Luciano. According to a spokesperson, 4 million reais were invested in the production of the DVD. Production staff consisted of 800 professionals, and about 25 trucks were used to transport equipment.

Legacy and Wealth[link]

In February 2011, Santana acquired a mansion valued at about 10 million reais in Campo Grande, capital of Mato Grosso do Sul.^{[citation needed]} The estimated wealth of Luan Santana is 40 million reais. In the past two years, the singer accrued more than 70 million reais from his concerts, record sales, advertising and licensed products.

Albums[link]

• Tô de Cara
• Luan Santana (Ao Vivo)
• Luan Santana ao Vivo no Rio
• Quando Chega a Noite

References[link]

Elena
Elena Gheorghe in Moscow, Russia in May, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Elena Gheorghe
Also known as	Elena
Born	(1985-07-30) July 30, 1985 (age 26)
Origin	Bucharest, Romania
Genres	Pop, Latino
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	vocal
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Cat Music, Major
Associated acts	Mandinga, Laurentiu Duta, Dony
Website	http://elenagheorghe.ro/
Notable instruments
Vocals

Elena Gheorghe (born July 30, 1985; Romanian pronunciation: [eˈle.na ˈɡe̯orɡe]) is a Romanian singer of Aromanian descent. She was born to a Priest and and his wife in the village of Clinceni next to Bucharest. She started her musical career as part of a duo along with Adela Popescu. In the first half of the 2000s she joined latin group Mandinga with whom she released a couple of albums and a few hit singles. In 2006 she separated from the group and pursued her solo career. She released two albums and scored a top ten in the Romanian Top 100 with the debut single "Vocea ta" (Your Voice). After an internal selection, Gheorghe was elected to represent Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "The Balkan Girls" wrote by Laurentiu Duta. She came the second in the voting result, but as the jury voted for her, she won the National Final. At Eurovision, in Moscow she qualified for the Grand Final where she came the nineteenth after accumulating a total of 40 points (12 points from Moldova). After Eurovision she became more famous Europe-wide and released her signature song "Disco Romancing" which was a smash hit in Romania as well as a top-ten in Hungary and a mild success in Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland or Slovakia. The following single "Midnight Sun" was a top-ten success in the Dutch Top 40 and in the Romanian Top 100. In 2011 she collaborated with Dony and released the single "Hot Girls" which once again charted troughout Europe. The same year she had her first European tour, getting to Germany, Spain or Greece. In the summer she got engaged with her producer and before Christmas she gave birth to a boy named Nicolas. Her latest single is called "Your Captain Tonight".

Early life and career beginnings[link]

Elena Gheorghe was born on July 30, 1985 in the village of Clinceni next to Bucharest, the capital city of Bucharest in the family of priest Gheorghe Gheorghe. Many of her ancestors were Orthodox priests. Elena has a sister, Ana, who is a journalist and her brother, Costin, plays football for Sportul Studenţesc. Her mother, Mărioara Gheorghe is a folk artist. Elena debuted on the folk music scene with her when just three years of age with the song Sus în Deal în Poieniţă.

At age 11 she joined the Children's National Palace where she took singing lessons. In 2000 she won the gold trophy Little Bear (in Baia Mare) with One Moment In Time by Whitney Houston. In 2001 she participated in the Mamaia Festival. Elena Gheorghe is of both Romanian and Macedonian Aromanian background.^[1][2]

Career[link]

2002—05: Career as part of Mandinga[link]

Elena started singing with Mandinga, a very successful band in the 'Latino'genre in early 2003. In June that year, Mandinga released their first album – ...De Corazón. Mandinga was placed 4th in the Romanian National Eurovision Selection in March 2005 with the song My Sun which was awarded a golden disc one year later. In January 2006, she opened her own dance school called Passitos and a month later ended the collaboration with Mandinga, starting her solo career with the help of musical producer Laurenţiu Duţă.

2006—08: Solo career beginnings[link]

In June 2006 Elena released her first solo album, entitled Your Voice.In March 2007 Elena won the prize Radio România Actualitaţi for best performing act in 2006 and was nominated for the Best Song of 2006 section with the song Your Voice. In August 2007 at the Romanian Top Hit Music Awards, Elena won the award for Best Song of 2007, with the song Your Brown Eyes. Some of her songs are sung in aromanian language as Ma ţi s-adar, Lilicea Vreariei, and others.

2009: Eurovision Song Contest[link]

Elena attending a meeting in Moscow after the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 semi-final.

In late 2008, songwriter Laurentiu Duta offered Elena a song to submit in the Romanian pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Right after New Year's Eve 2009 it was announced that Gheorghe was one of 24 semi-finalists. She competed in the semi-final and then passed to the National Final on January 31, 2009. There she came second after televoting but the jury helped her win the selection thus representing Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "The Balkan Girls". She started a promo tour allover Europe from February to May. Meanwhile, the song was already setting records as in became the first Eurovision song to be a number-one in the Romanian Top 100 and Elena's first number-one there. The song was performed in the second half of the first semi-final on May 12 in Moscow, Russia where it was in the first top ten positions, at number-nine with 67 points. She preceded towards the Grand Final of May 16. Then it was performed the twenty-second song of the evening and Gheorghe presented a concept show about wooden fairies called Iele in Romania. She came the nineteenth that night gaining forty points including 12 points from Moldova, 7 points from Spain, five from Turkey and Macedonia, etc.^[3]

2010—present: European recognition and motherhood[link]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• 2006 Vocea Ta
• 2008 Lilicea Vreariei
• 2008 Te Ador
• TBA Midnight Sun

Singles[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site
• Official hi5 profile
• Official Youtube Channel

Cristian Castro
Background information
Birth name	Cristian Sáez Castro
Born	(1974-12-08) December 8, 1974 (age 37)
Origin	Mexico City, Mexico
Genres	Latin pop, bolero
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Orfeón (1982) Fonovisa (1992-1996) Sony BMG (1997-2004) Universal Music Group (2005-Present)
Website	www.christiancastro.net

Cristian Castro (born Cristian Sáez Castro or Cristian Valdez on December 8, 1974 in Mexico City), , referred to as Christian Castro or Cristian is a Grammy Award-nominated Mexican pop singer.

Biography[link]

Born in Mexico City, he is the son of renowned actress and singer Verónica Castro and comedian Manuel "El Loco" Valdes. Castro also has a younger brother named Michelle Sáez Castro, his uncle is José Alberto "el Guero" Castro and his aunt is Beatriz Castro, who both are producers. As a baby, he made his acting debut with her during the telenovela named El Derecho de Nacer. Soon after, he appeared on a television commercial with her, and on the Mexican version of the broadway show Mame alongside the prominent actress Silvia Pinal.

Castro is one of the best selling Latin artists and has worked with renowned Latin producers including Kike Santander, Rudy Pérez, and Richard Daniel Roman.

Beginning career[link]

Castro began his singing career in 1992 with the release of Agua Nueva. After appearing in several telenovelas and recording some albums as a teenager, Castro began his "internationalization" in 1993, starting with concerts in Puerto Rico. Castro dedicated a song to that country in his second album, Un Segundo En El Tiempo, titled "Puerto Rico" as a way of thanking the Puerto Rican public for supporting his career. He also modified his singing voice from the deep voice he employed in Agua Nueva to a softer one that he currently uses. His song, Nunca Voy a Olvidarte (I Will Never Forget You), became his first number-one hit at the Hot Latin Tracks charts in 1993 helped launched his career. Castro became an international teen idol and sex symbol almost instantly after he began touring, and he began what has been a fructiferous international singing career.

In 1994, Cristian released "El Camino Del Alma". The album hit, Mañana, meaning Tomorrow, a song composed by Mexican singer, Juan Gabriel which was titled, Mañana, Mañana. In 1995, He released a stand-alone single, Vuelveme a Querer which hit #2 on the Hot Latin Tracks (held off by Enrique Iglesias' debut single Si Tú Te Vas). In 1996, Cristian released El Deseo De Oir Tu Voz (The Wish To Hear Your Voice) which featured hits such as Morelia, Amor, Amarte a Ti, and the title track.

Cristian has also done opening themes for telenovelas such as Morelia (1994) Angela (1998) and Mujer De Madera (Woman of Wood) (2004)

1997–2005[link]

Singing live.

In 1997, Castro left Fonovisa and began contract to BMG with the release of Lo Mejor De Mi. Famous pianist Raúl di Blasio did the piano work for the song "Después De Tí...¿Qué?" (After You...What?). The album was nominated "Best Latin Pop Album of the Year". Following the album's success, Castro sang in duets with other singers such as Olga Tañón, Grupo Limite, and José Alfredo Jiménez. In 1999 he released Mi Vida Sin tu Amor, which won him many credits because it had four singles to go in the Top ten of Billboard's Hot Latin tracks ("Alguna Vez" #2, "Por Amarte Asi" #3, Mi Vida Sin tu Amor #3, Volver a Amar #4). In 2001, he released Azul, which won "Best Latin Pop Album of the Year". In 2005, he released Galltio Feliz, a collection of his childhood songs, Nunca Voy A Olvidarte...Los Exitos, a CD/DVD greatest hit album which features both Fonovisa and BMG songs, and Días Felices with "Amor Eterno" and "Sin Tu Amor" as the album hit.

2006-Present[link]

In 2006, Castro contributed on a tribute work to Victor Yturbe "El Piruli", in which he sung Mil Besos. On June 26, 2007, Castro released his first mariachi album, El Indomable, which was produced by Vicente Fernandez, and released the single from the album, "Tu Retirada". Castro announced that the divorce with Valeria has led him to bankruptcy.^[1] A new album, "El culpable soy yo", was released on April 28, 2009. He sang at the "Latin Grammy Celebra José José" ceremony and is said to have made one of the best tributes to his idol.^[2] On September 28, 2010, he released the single "La Nave del Olvido"and "Amor, Amor" as part of his tribute album to José José, Viva el Principe.^[3] In 2011, a follow-up to Viva el prícipe is being recorded under the title Mi Amigo El Príncipe.^[4] He sang alongside the group Westlife a song called "Flying Without Wings" previously released on their album Where We Are.

In September 2011, Cristian Castro created a hilarious video with mun2 that featured his secret life as a "Metalero."^[5]

Discography[link]

Studio Albums

• Kristian y sus Pollitas (1982)
• Agua Nueva (1992)
• Un Segundo en el Tiempo (1993)
• El Camino del Alma (1994)
• El Deseo de Oír Tu Voz (1996)
• Lo Mejor de Mí (1997)
• Mi Vida Sin Tu Amor (1999)
• Remixes (2000)
• Azul (2001)
• Amar Es (2003)
• Hoy Quiero Soñar (2004)
• Días Felices (2005)
• El Indomable (2007)
• El Culpable Soy Yo (2009)
• Viva el Principe (2010)
• Mi Amigo El Príncipe (2011)

Compilation Albums

• Exitos (1996)
• Mis Mejores Momentos: Para Colecccioni (1997)
• Grandes Exitos (2002)
• Nunca Voy a Olvidarte...Los Exitos (2005)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website Official Cristian website
• Official MySpace
• Cristian Castro at the telenovela database
• Cristian Castro at the Internet Movie Database
• Cristian Castro on Univision
• Cristian Castro on esmas.com
• Action4Justice re Christian Castro

Manuel Mijares (pronounced: [manˈwel miˈxaɾes]) (born José Manuel Mijares Morán on February 7, 1958 in Mexico City^[1]), is a popular Spanish-language singer who is billed simply as "Mijares." He launched his career at age 23. He is currently separated from singer/actress Lucero, with whom he has two children.

Biography[link]

He was born in Hospital Español in Mexico City. His mother was a dance teacher, and he names her as an artistic influence. As a child, he was part of the elementary school chorus. He later formed musical groups with friends. As an adult, he received a degree in business administration in the Intercontinental University (Universidad Intercontinental México).

On March 4, 2011 after 14 years of marriage, he and Lucero announced to the media that they had separated.^[2]

1981 to 1989[link]

He made his professional debut in 1981 in a local festival called Valores Juveniles. After living in Japan, where he performed in a nightclub, Mijares worked as a background singer for Latin pop star Emmanuel.

In 1985, he represented Mexico in the OTI Festival, earning "Revelation of the Festival". In 1986, he started his solo carer after signing with EMI, issuing a self-titled album that featured his first international hits: "Bella" ("Beautiful woman"), "Soñador" ("Dreamer"),^[3] "Poco a poco" ("Little by little") and "Siempre" ("Always"), the latter composed by the Nicaraguan song writer Hernaldo Zúñiga. His debut album was originally credited to "Manuel Mijares", but the disc was later reissued with the billing changed to simply "Mijares." All subsequent recordings were billed under the name "Mijares."

He made his debut as an actor in the 1987 movie Escápate Conmigo. The film was a hit, but his acting career has been limited to cameos, however it was on that shoot he met his wife.^[4] The album Amor y Rock And Roll was released the same year, achieving more success through the singles "No se murió el amor" ("The love did not die") and "Un montón de verano" ("A heap of summer"), the last one again a Hernaldo Zúñiga's composition. Mijares earned the gold medal at the Yamaha Music Festival, something that few Latin singers have achieved.^[5]

Both Uno Entre Mil (1988) and Un Hombre Discreto (1989) continued his winning streak, achieving gold and platinum certification. Singles included "Soldado del amor" ("Soldier of love"), "Uno entre mil" ("One among a thousand"), "Baño de Mujeres" ("Ladies Room") and "Para amarnos más" ("To love each other more"). He also performed on the Spanish-language soundtrack of Walt Disney Pictures's Oliver & Company.^[6]

The '90s[link]

In 1990, Mijares released a one-off album recorded in Italian, Nuda liberta. He then followed with Que Nada Nos Separe, which became one of the biggest-selling discs in his career.

In 1992, he released Maria Bonita, a collection of boleros with the title track serving as a tribute to actress María Félix. Bebu Silvetti produced the album, which became Mijares' biggest-selling album to date. The disc was named album of the year by El Heraldo. The same year, he performed the Spanish-language version of the title track to the movie Beauty and the Beast along with Rocío Banquells.^[7]

In 1993, he performed the theme of the telenovela Corazón salvaje, a major hit single. The song was included on the disc Encadenado.

In 1996, technology allowed Mijares to sing with the deceased Pedro Infante on the well-received Querido Amigo.

On Jan. 18, 1997, he married Lucero. The news of their marriage would become an international event and Televisa earned the rights to televise it, gaining more than 40 million viewers.^[8]

In 1998, El Privilegio de Amar achieved platinum status in Mexico, powered by the title track, which featured Lucero on backing vocals.

New Millennium[link]

The new decade started well for Mijares. In 2000, DreamWorks selected him to perform three songs by Elton John in Spanish for El Dorado. This same year he released Historias de un Amor, in which he co-wrote some of the songs. Mijares' 2004 album, Cappuccino, was highlighted by a duet with Canadian singer-songwriter Gino Vannelli. In 2005, Mijares released Honor a Quien Honor Merece, a tribute to Mexican star José José, whom he considers one of his main influences. The album received gold and platinum certification in Mexico. Also successful was Acompañame, a duet album with Yuri that achieved platinum certification in 2006. His 2008 album Hablemos de Amor performed well on the charts, powered by the hit "Te ha robado" ("He has stolen you"), which was the theme from the telenovela Querida Enemiga. The following year, Mijares moved to Warner Music Latina for the album Vivir Así. The disc reached No. 2 on the official Amprofon lists and spent more than two months in the top 10. It was certified Gold during its eighth week of release and received platinum certification a few weeks later. A sequel, Vivir Así Volumen II, was released on April 13, 2010; the album reached the top 10 and earned Gold certification. In 2011, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of his music career with two sold-out concerts at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. A CD/DVD set capturing the show was issued in September as Mijares 25: Zona Preferente. The release debuted at No. 2 on the official Amprofon chart during its first week of release. It was certified gold a week later.

Albums[link]

Albums[link]

• Mijares 25: Zona Preferente (2011)
• Vivir Así Volumen II (2010)
• Vivir Así (2009)
• Hablemos de Amor (2008)
• Swing en tu Idioma (2007)
• Acompáñame (2006)
• Honor a Quien Honor Merece (2005)
• Cappuccino (2004)
• Dulce Veneno (2002)
• En Vivo (2001)
• Historias de un Amor (2000)
• El Privilegio de Amar (1998)
• Estar sin ti (1997)
• Querido Amigo (1996)
• El Encuentro (1995)
• Vive en mí (1994)
• Encadenado (1993)
• María Bonita (1992)
• Que Nada Nos Separe (1991)
• Nuda Libertà (1990)
• Un Hombre Discreto (1989)
• Uno Entre Mil (1988)
• Amor y Rock And Roll (1987)
• Manuel Mijares (1986)

Compilations[link]

• Las Número 1 de Mijares (2005)
• Éxitos Eternos (2004)
• Yuri y Mijares:Juntos por Primera Vez (2003)
• Latin Classics Mijares (2003)
• 30 Éxitos Insuperables (2003)
• Sólo lo Mejor 20 Éxitos (2002)
• Antología (2002)
• Corazón Salvaje (1994)
• Mis Mejores Canciones:17 Super Éxitos (1992)

Spanish version soundtracks[link]

• El Dorado (2000)
• Beauty and the Beast (1992)
• Oliver & Company (1988)

Soap operas themes[link]

• Querida Enemiga (2008)
• Rebeca (2003)
• El Privilegio de Amar (feat. Lucero) (1998)
• Corazón salvaje (1993)

Films[link]

• Escápate Conmigo (1987) as Manuel

References[link]