Pedro Elías Gutiérrez

Pedro Elías Gutiérrez (La Guaira, March 14 1870 – Macuto, May 31 1954) was a Venezuelan musician who is mainly remembered by the "joropo" song "Alma Llanera", whose music he composed.

Life and valoration

Gutiérrez began to study music at the age of 15, although not with much method. Almost in all the Venezuelan fifteen years celebrations, danced a Pedro Elías Gutiérrez waltz, like "Laura", "Celaje", "Geranio". But the one that is heard every day is "Alma Llanera". This popular "joropo," which is regarded as the second National Anthem of Venezuela, comprises one zarzuela of the same name that was released in the Caracas Theater on 19 September 1914.

The lyrics of "Alma Llanera" were written by the poet Rafael Bolivar Coronado. Inexplicably, only the name of Pedro Elías Gutiérrez has been immortalized, having himself thrown to the forgetfulness to the author of the lyrics. Gutiérrez was director of the Martial Band of Caracas for 43 years, from 1903 to 1946, wrote several zarzuelas like "Percance en Macuto", "Un Gallero como pocos", etc.

See also

*Venezuela
*Venezuelan music