On May 7 1919, Eva Maria Duarte de Perón, Argentinian actress and the 25th First Lady of Argentina was born. Eva was the wife of Argentine President Juan Perón from 1946 until she died of cervical cancer on July 26 1952.
Madonna portrayed Eva in the musical film version of EVITA, directed by Alan Parker.
On March 25 1997, Madonna performed You Must Love Me at the 68th Academy Awards. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Kathleen Guerdo from Billboard said that “Madonna delivers what is by far one of the strongest vocal performances of her career, comfortably scaling to the song’s demanding soprano heights while infusing it with delicate, heart-rending emotion.”
On March 15 1995, Madonna signed on to star as the late Eva Peron in film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical Evita.
On December 25 1996, EVITA was given a limited released in New York and Los Angeles.
Wide release for the film followed on January 10, 1997.
Critic Zach Conner commented:
“It’s a relief to say that EVITA is pretty damn fine, well-cast, and handsomely visualized. Madonna once again confounds our expectations. She plays Evita with a poignant weariness and has more than just a bit of star quality. Love or hate Madonna-Eva, she is a magnet for all eyes.”
Newsweek ’s David Ansen wrote:
“It’s gorgeous. It’s epic. It’s spectacular. But two hours later, it also proves to be emotionally impenetrable.”
On December 21 1996, Madonna’s You Must Love Me (the lead single from EVITA) spent its final week on Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay Chart in the USA. The hit single spent a total of 9 weeks on the chart.
Peter Keough of the Boston Phoenix had this to say about the song:
“You Must Love Me is an aching farewell that dispels the illusion of a romance-of-convenience to reveal the inescapable love and tragedy beneath”.
On December 12 1996, Madonna attended a press conference to promote EVITA at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina Del Rey, California.
On November 16 1996, Madonna’s You Must Love Me debuted at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA. You Must Love Me was the first single released from the EVITA soundtrack. The track was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
Jay’s Note: The success of this single is proof that Madonna’s power over radio and sales was un-stoppable. Imagine a song like this becoming a hit at radio and retail today? Not possible!
Today In Madonna History 