ABSTRACT
The opening chapter introduces Manuel de Falla, providing a biographical sketch and an overview of his artistic trajectory, viewed through the prism of literary and visual representations of the composer. Throughout his creative life, Falla’s appearance was described with recourse to national stereotypes and psychological traits that complemented prevailing discussions of his music, thus framing the public’s awareness of the composer. Just as many commentators attempted to reconcile the composer’s image with the impressions evoked by his music, I argue that Falla himself attempted to control his public image through such representations.
