Federico Moreno Torroba

He was a Spanish composer who distinguished himself especially in the field of zarzuela. Son of the Madrid pianist José Moreno Ballesteros, he began playing the organ with his father in the churches of the Spanish capital. He later began studying engineering at the University of El Escorial, but abandoned his studies to devote himself entirely to music. His father helped him to train musically until he entered the Madrid Conservatory and studied composition with Conrado del Campo.

His first works were symphonic, such as La ajorca de oro (1918), but he soon specialized in the lyric genre of zarzuela. Outstanding among his lyrical production were La mesonera de Tordesillas (1925), La Marchanera (1928) and Luisa Fernanda (1932).

Federico Moreno Torroba was considered one of the great Spanish composers, whose recognition led him to take charge, with the help of the Duke of Infantado, of the management of the Calderón theater. His compositions include the ballet Las aventuras de Don Quijote (1980), inspired by Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes, and La media naranja, of the revue genre.