Cayetano Valdés y Flores was a Spanish composer and musician who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is best known for his contributions to the development of the zarzuela, a form of Spanish musical theater. He is also credited with introducing the use of the guitar in Spanish music.
Cayetano Valdés y Flores was born in 1765 in the city of Seville, Spain. He was the son of a local musician, and from an early age he was exposed to music. He began to learn to play the guitar at the age of seven, and by the age of twelve he was already performing in public.
At the age of sixteen, Cayetano Valdés y Flores moved to Madrid to pursue a career in music. He studied with the renowned composer and musician, Antonio Soler, and soon became a member of the Royal Chapel of Madrid. During this time, he composed several works for the chapel, including a Mass and a Requiem.
In 1790, Cayetano Valdés y Flores was appointed as the director of the Royal Chapel of Madrid. During his tenure, he composed several works for the chapel, including a Mass and a Requiem. He also wrote several operas, including La Partida de los Reyes (The Departure of the Kings) and La Farsa de los Amantes (The Farce of the Lovers).
In 1795, Cayetano Valdés y Flores wrote his first zarzuela, La Partida de los Reyes. This work was a great success and established him as one of the leading composers of the zarzuela. He went on to write several more zarzuelas, including La Farsa de los Amantes, El Amor de los Tres Reyes (The Love of the Three Kings), and La Revoltosa (The Rebellious One).
In addition to his work in the zarzuela, Cayetano Valdés y Flores also wrote several works for the guitar. He was one of the first composers to use the guitar in Spanish music, and his works for the instrument are still performed today. He also wrote several works for the piano, including a set of variations on a theme by Mozart.
Cayetano Valdés y Flores died in 1823 in Madrid. He was buried in the Church of San Francisco el Grande, where his tombstone reads “Cayetano Valdés y Flores, composer of the zarzuela.” His works continue to be performed today, and he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Spanish music.