Barbieri, Fancisco Asenjo

Francisco Asenjo Barbieri was a Spanish composer and conductor, born in 1815. He is primarily known for his contributions to the zarzuela, a Spanish form of musical theatre that alternates between song and spoken dialogue. Barbieri was a key figure in the revival and development of the zarzuela in the 19th century.1

His most significant work in this genre is the three-act zarzuela Jugar con fuego (1851), which was highly popular and helped pave the way for the modern zarzuela. Barbieri was also instrumental in the formation of the Sociedad Artística del Teatro-Circo, an organization dedicated to the advancement of national Spanish music. He passed away in 1894.1