José de Nebra

José Melchor Baltasar Gaspar Nebra Blasco (January 6, 1702 – July 11, 1768) was a Spanish composer and organist from the Baroque period. His work combines Spanish traditions with the Italian style of his day.

Biography

Family José de Nebra was born in Calatayud and was taught by his father, José Antonio Nebra Mezquita (1672–1748), organist and master of choirboys at the Cathedral of Cuenca from 1711 until 1729 before becoming chapel master. His two brothers were also musicians: Francisco Javier Nebra Blasco (1705–1741), organist of La Seo in Zaragoza until he moved to Cuenca in 1729, then succeeded by his brother Joaquín Ignacio Nebra Blasco (1709–1782) till his death.

Career José de Nebra relocated to Madrid early in his career, where he served as the organist at the Descalzas Reales convent in 1719. In 1722, he joined the chapel of the Osuna noble household. There, he started composing music for commercial theatres in Madrid alongside Antonio Literes and Antonio Duni. Nebra then became an organist at the Descalzas Reales convent and at the royal chapel on May 22, 1724. That August, Nebra was appointed supernumerary organist with the promise of a promotion to first organist if an opening occurred at the royal chapel. Alongside Literes, Nebra rebuilt the collection of church music after a fire at the royal chapel in 1734. He advocated for a collection of works by Neapolitan composers such as Alessando Scarlatti and shifted his focus to sacred music composition. Nebra contributed 7 Salve Regina settings, 19 Masses, and 14 orchestral lamentations.

Nebra was a talented organist and respected teacher. He oversaw organ restorations at both the Jeronimos convent (1749) and the chapel of the new royal palace (1756). Nebra taught the organ to both Antonio Soler and José Lidón, who each became prominent musicians. In 1761, he became the harpsichord teacher to Prince Gabriel and later taught his nephew, Manuel Blasco de Nebra.

Theatre In 1728, Nebra composed music for Amor aumenta el valor alongside Facco and Falconi for the royal wedding of the Prince of Asturias to Princess Maria Barbara. However, most of Nebra's influence as a theatre composer comes from his work in Madrid's public theatres. There, he worked with top playwrights and opened new indoor theatres. He launched the first Spanish season at the Coliseo de la Cruz in 1737, and instituted the Coliseo de Príncipe in 1745. He composed almost 60 stage works, including secular and sacred librettos, each including spoken dialogue.

Selected recordings 1996 - Viento es la dicha de amor (zarzuela). Ensemble Baroque de Limoges, dir. Christophe Coin. Naïve 2001 – Miserere. Al Ayre Español. Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 2001 - Principio de Maitines de Navidad. Madrid Barroco, dir. Grover Wilkins 2001 - Responsorium I. Madrid Barroco, dir. Grover Wilkins 2001 - Hymnus Sanctissimae Trinitari. Madrid Borroco, dir. Grover Wiklins Sonata, op. 1 no. 4 for harpsichord, performed by Janine Johnson 2005 – La Cantada Española en América. Al Ayre Español. Harmonia Mundi 2006 - Vispera de Confesores. La Grande Chapelle, dir. Àngel Recasens. Lauda Musica 2006 - Arias de Zarzuelas. María Bayo, Al Ayre Español, dir. Eduardo López Banzo. Harmonia Mundi 2010 – Amor aumenta el valor (opera). Los Músicos de Su Alteza. Alpha 2011 - Cantatas. Esta Dulzura Amable. Al Ayre Español, dir. Eduardo López Banzo. Challenge Classics 2011 - Principio des Maitines de Navidad; Responsorium I, Nocturno 1, Nativitatis Domini. "Madrid 1752, Madrid Barroco, dir. Grover Wilkins. Dorian 2011 - Iphigenia en Tracia (zarzuela). El concierto español, dir. Emilio Moreno. Glossa 2019 - Requiem. La Madrileña - Coro Victoria - Schola Antiqua, dir. José Antonio Montaño. Pan Classics 2020 - Vendado es Amor, no es ciego (zarzuela). Los Elementos, dir.Alberto Miguélez Rouco. Glossa 2021 - Cantadas Francisco Corselli & José de Nebra. Los Elementos, dir.Alberto Miguélez Rouco. PanClassics 2022 - Donde hay violencia, no hay culpa (zarzuela). Los Elementos, dir.Alberto Miguélez Rouco. Glossa 2025 - Venus y Adonis (opera). Los Elementos, dir.Alberto Miguélez Rouco. Aparté 2025 - Sinfonia en sol menor y Versos de vísperas. Los Elementos, dir. Alberto Miguélez Rouco. Château de Versailles Spectacles