Rafael Hernando

Rafael José Maria Hernando y Palomar (31 May 1822, in Madrid – 10 July 1888, in Madrid) was a Spanish composer of zarzuelas, being that his contributions to the genre lead to the development of the zarzuela grande. His body of work consists of 17 operettas and some religious works. None of his zazuelas has been in the repertoire of today.

Biography Son of Pedro Hernando and Eugenia Hernando Palomar, his mother left him an orphan at the age of two. At fifteen he entered the Madrid Conservatory,

In 1843, he moved to Paris, studying with Miguel García and befriending Daniel Auber.

Works 1849 El duende - Zarzuela - Libreto by Luis de Olona 1849 Palo de ciego - Zarzuela en 1 acto - Libreto by Juan del Peral 1849 Colegialas y soldados - Zarzuela en 2 actos - Libreto by Mariano Pina 1850 Bertoldo y comparsa - Libreto by Gregorio Romero y Larrañaga 1851 Escenas de Chamberí - Collective work - Libreto by Luis de Olona 1851 Segunda parte de El duende - Zarzuela en 2 actos - Libreto by Luis de Olona 1852 El novio pasado por agua - Zarzuela en 3 actos - Libreto by Manuel Bretón de los Herreros 1852 El secreto de la Reina - Co-authors Joaquín Gaztambide and José Inzenga 1853 Don Simplicio Bobadilla - Co-authors Joaquín Gaztambide, Francisco Asenjo Barbieri and José Inzenga - Libretto by Manuel Tamayo y Baus 1854 Cosas de don Juan - Zarzuela en 3 actos - Libreto by Manuel Bretón de los Herreros 1860 El tambor - Libreto by Emilio Álvarez