Gaztambide, Joaquin

1822-1870

Spanish composer and teacher; born at Tudela; studied piano and composition under Jose Guelbenzo, organist at Pampeluna, and afterward became a pupil of the Madrid Conservatory, where he studied under Albeniz and Carnicer. Later he became orchestral leader at the Teatro del Principe, Madrid, where he brought out his first operatic work x known as a zarzuela. During the next twenty-five years he composed about forty of these Spanish operettas, which met with great popular success. He also became director of the Conservatory concerts and honorary professor at the Conservatory. A younger relative, Xavier Gaztambide, was an orchestral leader at a Madrid theatre in 1866, and the composer of several zarzuelas.