Juan Bautista Alfonseca
Colonel Juan Bautista Alfonseca Baris (June 23, 1810 – August 9, 1875) was a Dominican officer who fought in the Dominican War of Independence, and a composer known for his role in the development of merengue music. Though the music written by Alfonseca was not, at the time, specifically labeled as "merengue", its incorporation of Dominican folk motifs into Latin formal music such as the danza paved the way for that genre, causing many to label him "the father of merengue". In addition to his proto-merengue, Alfonseca served as a chapelmaster in Santo Domingo, writing two masses.
Also recorded as Juan Bautista Alfonseca Baris
Juan Bautista Alfonseca
- Born
- 1810 · Santo Domingo.
- Died
- 1875 · Santo Domingo.
- Nationality
- Dominican Republic
- Occupation
- composer
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Colonel Juan Bautista Alfonseca Baris (June 23, 1810 – August 9, 1875) was a Dominican officer who fought in the Dominican War of Independence, and a composer known for his role in the development of merengue music. Though the music written by Alfonseca was not, at the time, specifically labeled as "merengue", its incorporation of Dominican folk motifs into Latin formal music such as the danza paved the way for that genre, causing many to label him "the father of merengue". In addition to his proto-merengue, Alfonseca served as a chapelmaster in Santo Domingo, writing two masses.
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Biography
Born at Santo Domingo in 1810, died in Santo Domingo in 1875.
Juan Bautista Alfonseca (1810–1875) was a composer.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 27 September 2026.
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