Mariá Álvarez Rios (June 5, 1919 – December 6, 2010) was a

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

n composer, pianist and educator. She was born in Tuinicú and studied music from a young age. She continued her studies at the

University of Havana The University of Havana (UH; ) is a public university located in the Vedado district of Havana, the capital of Cuba. Founded on 5 January 1728, the university is the oldest in Cuba, and one of the first to be founded in the Americas. Originall ...

and the

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

where she earned a doctorate in music. She wrote music to poems by

Nicolás Guillén Nicolás Cristóbal Guillén Batista (10 July 1902 – 16 July 1989) was a Cuban poet, journalist and political activist. He is best remembered as the national poet of Cuba.

José Martí José Julián Martí Pérez (; 28 January 1853 – 19 May 1895) was a Cuban nationalism, nationalist, poet, philosopher, essayist, journalist, translator, professor, and publisher, who is considered a Cuban national hero because of his role in ...

, Félix Pita Rodríguez and

Gabriela Mistral Lucila Godoy Alcayaga (; 7 April 1889 – 10 January 1957), known by her pseudonym Gabriela Mistral (), was a Chilean poet-diplomat, educator, and Catholic. She was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order or Third Franciscan order. She was ...

, and also wrote music for the stage; she was known for her contributions to children's music.

Selected works

Source: * Abrazame amor, song * Anda di, corazo'n, song * Ya no me llamas, song * La rosa y el ruiseñor, song * Como se duele, song

References

1919 births 2010 deaths Cuban composers Cuban women composers University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance alumni University of Havana alumni Cuban expatriates in the United States {{Cuba-composer-stub