Juan Arriaga was born in Bilbao on January 27, 1806 and died in Paris on January 17, 1826. He was a true musical artist, having composed his first work - the 'Ensayo De Octeto Nada y Mucho' when he was 11 years old; when he was 12, an 'Obertura' and, when 14, the opera in two acts 'Los Esclavos Felices' and the 'Variaciones, La Hungara' - productions of perfect construction.