His Life: Federico Chueca was born on May 5, 1846 in Madrid, Spain. He was born at the Casa de los Lujanes. (It is a squat tower on Plaza de la Villa. His father was the caretaker at the building.)
Continuing His Life..... At age eight, Federico went to Madrid Conservatory. The following year his examination piano pieces were attracting the attention of the local press.
Still Continuing His Life....... His family wanted him to study medicine. So, in 1862, Federico started at San Carlos. Sadly, his parents died of Cholera in 1867. He was only twenty-one years old.
The End of His Life..... Federico Chueca died of complications arising from diabetes on June 20, 1908. He was just 62 years old. Federico was buried at the Cemetery of St Justo. He was nationally mourned and admired.
Federico Chueca wrote zarzuela music. Zarzuela music is a Spanish genre. It combines song with recitation, action, and humor to create a dramatic scene. Chueca was "leaving his mark as an expert of the minor zarzuela." (Zarzuela is divided into two categories called minor and major. Minor Zarzuela is a one-act show. Major Zarzuela is a several-act show.) This is the genre of music that Federico Chueca wrote.
Federico Chueca wanted to play music. He had a natural talent for it. He started at the conservatory, but his family really pushed for him to go to school to become a doctor. (He was actually schooled more in medicine than in music.) Later in life, he got the chance to go back and study music. Chueca found his inspiration through being naturally good at music. Ideas came to him.
SOURCES: "Federico Chueca." - Composer. Musopen, 2008. Web. 16 Mar. 2016. Federico Chueca(1846 - 1908)." Zarzuela! Composer Biographies. Christopher Webber, 14 June 2008. Web. 16 Mar. 2016. Service (Library of Congress). Library of Congress. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
"Zarzuela." Spanish Dance and Music:. Spanish Arts, 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
INTERESTING STORY: In 1866, Federico Chueca was arrested. He was a participant in demonstrations against the Narváez Government. He spent three days in prison. While he was in prison, he composed several waltzes. One of them is called "Lamentos de un Preso". This means Lamentations of a Prisoner.
Federico Chueca is also considered a self-taught musician.