Francisco José Olivares facts for kids

Francisco José Olivares (born November 17, 1778 – died September 2, 1854) was a Spanish composer and organist. He lived in the late 1700s and early 1800s. During his music career, he worked in different cities like Cuenca, Orihuela, and Salamanca.

Early Life and Training

Francisco José Olivares was born in Rubielos Bajos, Cuenca. This was on November 17, 1778. When he was 9 years old, in 1788, he started attending a special music school. This school was for choir boys at the Cuenca Cathedral.

Here, he began his musical training. Pedro Aranaz was one of his teachers. Olivares was one of Aranaz's favorite students. He also learned from the organist Juan Manuel del Barrio. His first two musical pieces were a Motet and a Mass. He wrote them in 1794.

Moving to Orihuela

On July 29, 1796, Olivares got a job. He became the second organ player at the Cathedral of Orihuela in Alicante. He stayed there until 1803.

Life in Salamanca

Olivares moved to Salamanca in 1803. He became the main organ player there. He also became the head of the Colegio de Mozos de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. This was a music school for young boys.

In 1806, he wanted to make the teaching better for the choir children. He asked his old teacher, Pedro Aranaz, for help. They wanted to start a new music school in Salamanca. It would be like the one in Cuenca.

A Book on Music

Because of this teamwork, Olivares wrote a book. It was called a Composition Treatise. This book was about how to compose music. A copy of this important book is kept in the Library of the Royal Superior Conservatory of Music in Madrid.

Performing for the King

In 1817, Olivares went with Manuel José Doyagüe to the royal court. They performed for King Fernando VII. Both musicians played their music at the Royal Chapel. Doyagüe presented his Te Deum and his Great Mass. Olivares performed his musical scene called Abrádates and Panteá. It was for singers and pianoforte.

Later Years

Olivares spent the rest of his life working at the Salamanca Cathedral. He always tried to get more recognition for his work. On October 7, 1825, he was offered a job. He could become the music director of the Segovia Cathedral. But he turned down this offer on February 9, 1826.

On March 4, 1830, there were tryouts for a top music job. It was for the director and composer at the Royal Chapel of Madrid. Olivares tried out but did not get the position. In 1839, he took on some duties of the chapel master. This was because Doyagüe was very old and couldn't do them all.

In 1851, Queen Isabella II gave him some help. But he could not retire from his job. The cathedral did not have much money. Francisco José Olivares died in 1854.

His Music

Most of Olivares's music was religious and for voices. This included carols, psalms, motets, masses, and lamentations. But he also wrote non-religious music, like songs and scenes.

His book, the Composition Treaty, is one of his important theoretical works. The archive at the Salamanca Cathedral has about thirty of his musical pieces. Other works are kept in the National Library and the Royal Conservatory of Madrid.

See also

In Spanish: Francisco José Olivares para niños