José Ángel Montero
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| José Ángel Montero | |
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| Born | October 2, 1832 Caracas, Venezuela |
| Died | August 24, 1881 Caracas, Venezuela |
[edit] Life and career
José Ángel Montero (born Caracas October 2, 1832 - died Caracas August 24, 1881) was a Venezuelan opera composer, a contemporary of the Brazilian Carlos Gomes. As maestro di capilla at the cathedral of Caracas he wrote church music; he also composed a number of zarzuelas and, in 1873, one opera, Virginia, to an Italian-language libretto.
He was son and disciple of José María Montero, his knowledge of composition extended through the study by his own account of contemporary European works and treaties of composition. He dominated the execution of several wind and string instruments, specially the flute. From 1869, José Ángel Montero directed the Martial Band of Caracas. He composed numerous pieces and works of the scenic sort: waltzes, polkas, contradanzas, zarzuelas, and an opera.
[edit] Works
His most recognized work is the opera Virginia, released with solemnity, under auspice of the government of Guzmán Blanco in the Teatro Caracas (Caracas Theater), 1873, the same year José Ángel Montero hold the position of chapel teacher in the Caracas cathedral, he conserved this work until his death. In 1878 creates the Musical Art magazine. The great simplicity of accomplishment and certain sentimentality is remarkable in his compositions.
Of José Ángel Montero, an innumerable number of hall pieces and adjustments for orchestra and band are conserved, as well as an immense amount of works of the sacred sort, like: Pater Noster and Quiero tu cruz.
Between the works of this composer, we can enumerate the zarzuelas:
- Doña Inés or la Política en el Hogar, 1862.
- La modista (zarzuela in two acts, 1864.
- Fabio o Estela or el casamiento por Dote, 1865.
- La curiosidad de las Mujeres or El Huésped enamorado, 1865.
- Los Alemanes en Italia, 1866.
- Colegialas con colegialas (zarzuela in two acts, 1868).
- La Castañera, 1868.
- El Charlatán Mudo, 1873.
- Diamira, 1873.
- Tragedia Lírica, 1873.
- Atrás or el Centinela.
- Un baile en Caracas or el Cumpleaños de Leonor (zarzuela in one act, 1865).
- La ardilla (zarzuela in one act).
- La inocente Serranilla (zarzuela in one act).
- La obertura de la zarzuela La gallina Ciega.
