Over the course of his long career, Moreno Torroba composed many works, both in traditional Spanish forms and for the concert hall. He is often associated with the
zarzuela, a traditional Spanish musical form. He achieved his greatest success in the 1930s with the zarzuelas
Luisa Fernanda (1932) and
La Chulapona (1934). Directing several
opera companies, Moreno Torroba helped introduce the
zarzuela to international audiences. In 1946 he formed a zarzuela company with singers
Plácido Domingo Ferrer and
Pepita Embil, the parents of
Plácido Domingo and close friends of his. The company toured
Latin America for two years, becoming particularly popular in
Mexico. The composer who was identified from the beginning with the phalanx, to be on the national side. decided to go to America in 1946 to avoid the economic and food shortages of the postwar Spain. Moreno Torroba also composed operas, of which
La Virgen de Mayo (1925) and
El poeta (1980) with Plácido Domingo in the title role, are his best known. In addition to his vocal works, he is well known for his compositions for the
classical guitar, many of which were dedicated to either Maria Angélica Funes or
Andrés Segovia. Although he did not play the guitar himself he had a deep understanding of the instrument, according to the virtuoso Pepe Romero. He also frequently conducted. Torroba is also the composer of
Cuban Boy, the
Frank Chacksfield recorded version of which is known as the theme tune for the BBC Scotland comedy show
Still Game. ==Works==