Eslava, Miguel Hilarion

1807-1878

This most eminent modern Spanish violinist and composer was born near Pampeluna, and at seventeen was a violinist and choir-singer in the cathedral of that place. In 1828 he was appointed chapelmaster of the Cathedral at Ossuna, and in 1832 of the Metropolitan Church at Seville, taking priest's orders. In 1844 he became master of the royal chapel. His works include three operas written in Italian, but the larger number are masses, motets, and other church music. The most important of his works are two collections, Lira sacrohispana, which comprises the best Spanish church music from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Centuries, and the Museo organo espanol, which includes some of his own organ compositions. He also edited a musical periodical in Madrid from 1855 to 1856.