Cádiz, Spain

November 23, 1876

An important Spanish composer of opera, oratorio, piano, and ballet music such as "El amor brujo (Love, the Magician)" and "El sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat)." De Falla wrote bold, passionate, and colorful Andalusian gypsy dance forms with folk-style original melodies ("Fantasia betica"); operas and zarzuelas (a Spanish operetta form) about magic: "El amor brujo" contains the famous "Ritual Fire Dance" to ward off evil spirits while pots and pans are being forged; and mirthful pieces ("El sombrero de tres picos," a ballet about a miller's wife and a presuming town official). ~ Blue Gene Tyranny