November 16, 2009

By By Howell Llewellyn, Madrid

Spanish singer Luz Casal has received France's prestigious National Order of Arts and Letters from French culture minister Fr?d?ric Mitterrand in Paris.

She had brought French prime minister Fran?ois Fillon and the rest of a packed Ch?telet Theater to their feet for several ovations during two concerts in the French capital on Nov. 10 and 11.

Casal, also a composer, has had a long and close relationship with the French public, especially since she interpreted the song "Piensa En Mi" in Pedro Almodovar's 1991 film "Tacones Lejanos" ("High Heels").

Mitterrand described Casal, who was presented with the honor on Nov. 13, as "an uncontested and idolized icon of Spanish music, a builder of dialogues across musical genres." Previous recipients include Rudolf Nureyev and Philip Glass.

Casal has 15 best-selling albums with EMI Music Spain, including her Oct. 12 release "La Pasi?n," a homage to the 'bolero' singing genre, which is selling well in Spain (30,000 units-plus), France, Belgium, Greece, Portugal and Mexico.

"Luz has a strong connection to France and its artists. Receiving the National Order of Merit is a true honor for her and a great source of pride for EMI," said Simone Bos?, GM of EMI Spain.

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