Ignacio Cervantes Kawanagh

Cuban pianist and composer. He was influential in the creolization of Cuban music.

Born July 31, 1847 in Havana, Cuba
Died April 29, 1905 in Havana, Cuba

A child prodigy, he was taught by pianist Juan Miguel Joval, Nicolás Ruiz Espadero, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, studied in Conservatoire de Paris (1866–1870) under Antoine François Marmontel and Charles-Valentin Alkan, where he was awarded first prizes in composition (1866) and harmony (1867). He also performed with Christina Nilsson and Adelina Patti. In 1875 Cervantes and José White left Cuba. In the United States and Mexico Cervantes continued giving concerts. He returned in 1878 and left again in 1895 when the Cuban War of Independence started.

Cervantes wrote one opera (Maledetto, 1895), various chamber pieces (Scherzo cappricioso, 1885), zarzuelas, and the famous forty-one Danzas Cubanas. He also conducted for the Opera company at Havana's Payret Theater. His Fusión de Almas was written to his daughter, María Cervantes (1885–1981), who became a well-known pianist, composer and singer.