Composer. Born in San Juan de las Abadesas, Gerona Province, Spain, upon the death of his parents, he lived with and was raised by his uncle Bernardo Nunó. While being educated in Barcelona, Nunó's musical talent was discovered. At age 17 he was selected to study in Italy under Maestro Severio Mercadante. Nunó specialized in military bands and upon settling in Cuba in 1851 was named director of the Queen's Regimental Band. While there, he became well acquainted with Mexico's former president, Antonio López de Santa Anna. In 1853, Santa Anna regained the Mexican presidency and invited Nunó to become the director of Mexico's Military Band. Later that year, Santa Anna held a contest to compose the Mexican National anthem. Poet Francisco González Bocanegra's poem, "Mexicanos, al Grito de Guerra" ("Mexicans, at the Cry of Battle") had been selected and Nunó's musical composition titled, "God and Liberty" was chosen to accompany Bocanegra's lyrics. The completed song was called "Himno Nacional Mexicano" and was first played September 15, 1854 (Mexican Independence Day) in the Teatro Santa Anna which became known as Teatro Nacional. After the fall of Santa Anna, Nunó toured as a conductor and opera director in the United States. 1904 marked the fiftieth anniversary of his composition being declared the official Mexican National Anthem and Nunó returned to Mexico to conduct the National Orchestra during the Fiestas Patrias being held there. Nunó died in Bayside, New York and was originally interred in Forest Lawn, Buffalo, New York. On October 11, 1942, at the insistence of the Mexican government, his remains were returned to Mexico to rest next to those of Francisco González Bocanegra's in the Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Men).
Composer. Born in San Juan de las Abadesas, Gerona Province, Spain, upon the death of his parents, he lived with and was raised by his uncle Bernardo Nunó. While being educated in Barcelona, Nunó's musical talent was discovered. At age 17 he was selected to study in Italy under Maestro Severio Mercadante. Nunó specialized in military bands and upon settling in Cuba in 1851 was named director of the Queen's Regimental Band. While there, he became well acquainted with Mexico's former president, Antonio López de Santa Anna. In 1853, Santa Anna regained the Mexican presidency and invited Nunó to become the director of Mexico's Military Band. Later that year, Santa Anna held a contest to compose the Mexican National anthem. Poet Francisco González Bocanegra's poem, "Mexicanos, al Grito de Guerra" ("Mexicans, at the Cry of Battle") had been selected and Nunó's musical composition titled, "God and Liberty" was chosen to accompany Bocanegra's lyrics. The completed song was called "Himno Nacional Mexicano" and was first played September 15, 1854 (Mexican Independence Day) in the Teatro Santa Anna which became known as Teatro Nacional. After the fall of Santa Anna, Nunó toured as a conductor and opera director in the United States. 1904 marked the fiftieth anniversary of his composition being declared the official Mexican National Anthem and Nunó returned to Mexico to conduct the National Orchestra during the Fiestas Patrias being held there. Nunó died in Bayside, New York and was originally interred in Forest Lawn, Buffalo, New York. On October 11, 1942, at the insistence of the Mexican government, his remains were returned to Mexico to rest next to those of Francisco González Bocanegra's in the Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Men).
Bio by: SCG
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