José María Bustamante facts for kids

José María Bustamante (born March 19, 1777, in Toluca; died December 4, 1861, in Mexico City) was an important Mexican composer. He created many musical works during his lifetime.

A Life in Music

José María Bustamante spent much of his life working with music in churches. He was a chapel master in various churches in Mexico City. A chapel master is like a music director. They are in charge of all the music for church services. His last and most important job was at the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. This is a very famous and large church.

Teaching Music

Bustamante was also a dedicated teacher. He helped to establish the first music school, known as a conservatory, in Latin America. This special school for music opened in Mexico in 1824. He taught there, helping to train new musicians.

Music for a Free Mexico

José María Bustamante was not just a musician. He was also active in the Mexican War of Independence. This was a big fight for Mexico to become free from Spanish rule. His most famous work was a heroic melodrama called Méjico libre. This title means Free Mexico. It was a play with music that celebrated Mexico's fight for freedom. Besides this, he also wrote an opera and many pieces of church music.