He was born on June 14, 1856 in Utrecht, Holland. When he was 13 years old he won an important piano prize and while still a teenager he gave recitals at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Then the Belgian king granted him a scholarship to perfect his art and he studied music at the Liège Conservatory. From the time of his youth he settled in Cuba. In addition to his work as a musician and in the field of teaching, he was also a supporter of the struggle for Cuban independence.  He even contributed to the patriotic festivities that were held to collect funds for the development of the Cuban cause. He created the opera Patria, which is considered the first work of its kind inspired by the struggle of Cubans for the liberation of their homeland from Spanish colonial rule. He also created several zarzuelas, pieces for song and piano and hymns.

Opera Patria

It is the first work of its genre with a plot based on the Cuban War of Independence. It was partially premiered, only the second scene, on December 1, 1899 at the National Theater. The action of the play takes place during the period of the last stage of the war that restarted in 1895.