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Garcia (MANUEL g r-the' a Spanish)

MANUEL (gär-the'ä), a Spanish vocalist and composer; born in Seville, Spain, Jan. 22, 1775. After ac- GARCILASO quiring a considerable reputation as a tenor singer in Cadiz and Madrid, in 1808 he obtained great success at the Italian opera in Paris, and afterward proceeded to Italy, where he was received with equal favor. From 1816 to 1824 he was constantly engaged as a singer, either in Paris or London. In 1825, with a select operatic company, composed in part of members of his own family, he crossed the Atlantic, and visited New York and Mexico. On the road between Mexico and Vera Cruz he was robbed of all his money; and after his return to Paris he was compelled to open a class for singing, as his voice had become greatly impaired by age and fatigue.

Many of Garcia's pupils reached a high degree of excellence, but none equaled his eldest daughter Maria, afterward Madame Malibran. He was less successful as a composer, though several of his works, such as "The Caliph of Bagdad," were much admired. Garcia died in Paris, June 10, 1832. PAULINE VIARDOT-