Esteban Salas y Castro

Esteban Salas is the earliest Cuban composer of classical music whose works have survived. Largely neglected until the revival of Latin American Baroque music, he was also active as a theologian, philosopher, and priest. Many of Salas' compositions are villancicos -- short carols or other sunny, celebratory pieces -- in Spanish, for singers or a choir, accompanied by small instrumental ensembles. Salas also wrote seven masses, 17 Salve regina settings, motets, and other larger works with Latin texts. The Conservatorio Esteban Salas in Santiago de Cuba is named for Salas.