Rogel, Jose

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Rogel, Jose

Rogel, Jose , Spanish composer; b. Orihuela, Alicante, Dec. 24, 1829; d. Cartagena, Feb. 25, 1901. At a very early age he was taught music by the organist J. Cascales, and at 10 composed a Mass, which he conducted himself. After he finished his law studies in Valencia, he studied counterpoint with Pascual Perez Cascon; subsequently conducted at various theaters in Madrid, and in 1854 began his unusually successful career as a composer of zarzuelas, of which he wrote 81 (some in collaboration). Among the best are El Joven Telemaco, Las Amazones del Tormes, El Rey Midas, Los Infiernos de Madrid, Genoveva de Brabante, and Pablo y Virginia.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire