Domingo Bethancourt

guatemala, marimba, composer, ferrocarril de los altos, quetzaltenango

Born Dec 20, 1906

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Passed Away Feb 29, 1980 Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Lifespan 73 years old

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"The keys of the hormigo wood marimba sing with the very heartbeat of our mountain highlands."

Archival Overview

Legendary Guatemalan marimba virtuoso and composer who wrote the iconic 'Ferrocarril de los Altos'.

Biographical Record

Domingo Bethancourt Mazariegos was Guatemala's most celebrated marimba composer and bandleader, revered for his virtuosic melodies and joyful regional tunes.

Hailing from Quetzaltenango, Bethancourt founded the famous marimba ensemble 'Marimba Ideal', performing across the Americas and broadcasting on international radio.

His timeless masterpiece 'Ferrocarril de los Altos' (Highlands Railroad), commemorating the historic electric mountain train, is considered an informal second national anthem of Guatemala.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Quetzaltenango Municipal Cemetery
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

                         GPS: 14.8333, -91.5167                    

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