Roberto Ondina, cuban flutist (1904-1963)
Ondina did his early musical studies with his father, and later studied flute with several teachers, although his apprenticeship was mostly self-paced. In 1916, with twelve-year-old he made live music with his flute in showings of silent films in Havana, as well as in groups of dance music.
Under the guidance of maestro Gonzalo Roig as soloist of the Municipal Band of Havana, and was member of orchestras in radio programs.
It was titular flutist of Havana Philharmonic Orchestra and soloist of the National Symphony Orchestra. He is considered one of the first black flutists interpreter of classical music. His sound was praised by critics of the time.
As Professor of flute his performance was remarkable, and many of his students were among the most prominent flutists of the country, which is also granted to the own Ondine category.
In an interview made by Cesar Penago to Maestro Israel López "Cachao" he expresed: Master, how met you to Roberto Ondine? C.: Yes, working together in the Philharmonic Orchestra. He was fabulous!, one of the best flutists worldwide. When the teacher Kleiber was directing the "Symphony of Philadelphia" he visited Cuba, and heard Ondina. There is a Ravel's composition that Ondina played very well; Kleiber asked him to repeate it ten times. After a while Ondina asked Kleiber: "Maestro, is that I am playing it so badly? And Kleiber replied: "Sir, it's not, the matter is that I want to hear it because your performance is so nice!" and offered him some money to go abroad to work. At that time, the wages at Philharmonic of Cuba were not too high. However, this tempting offer did not persuaded Ondina to travel because he thought that the struggle with the English language and also with the environment due to the very heavy discrimination was too much for him.