Source: National Archives & Historic Records of Dominican Republic
Music • Historical Archive • 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic • 1 views

José Reyes 🇩🇴

José Rufino Reyes Siancas (Known as "Maestro Reyes")
Master Classical Composer, Bandmaster, Creator of the Dominican National Anthem
Born 1835-11-15 🇩🇴 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Passed Away 1905-01-31 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Lifespan 69 years old
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"In every beat of this music beats the heart of a free people who will never bend before an oppressor."

Archival Overview

Master composer and musician who composed the martial, stirring music of the Dominican National Anthem in 1883, premiered on the anniversary of the Restoration War at the Logia Esperanza.

Biographical Record

José Rufino Reyes Siancas was born in Santo Domingo on November 15, 1835, to a humble family of mixed heritage. Learning music from Director Juan Bautista Alfonseca, Reyes played cello, organ, and cornet, serving in the military band during the Restoration War.

Determined that the Dominican Republic should have a national hymn as stirring as La Marseillaise, Reyes composed the martial melody in 1883 and asked Emilio Prud'Homme to set lyrics to it. Premiered on August 17, 1883, the hymn was officially consecrated in 1934, securing Reyes immortal national glory.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic (Panteón de la Patria)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
GPS: 18.4750, -69.8840
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