Ernesto Sixto de la Asunción Lecuona Casado, born on August 6, 1895, in
Guanabacoa, Cuba, was a pianist and composer. He began studying piano at age
five and composed his first piece by thirteen. Lecuona studied at the National
Conservatory of Havana, graduating with a gold medal in interpretation at
sixteen. He started his international career at New York's Aeolian Hall and
continued his studies in France with Maurice Ravel. Notable works include the
zarzuelas Canto Siboney, María la O, and Rosa la China; the songs "La Comparsa"
and "Malagueña"; and the opera El Sombrero de Yare...