© Latinas in History 2008
Genoveva
de Arteaga was hailed as great pianist, known for giving virtuoso performances
throughout her musical career. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, she was the
only daughter of prominent musicians, Julio de Arteaga and Nicolasa
Torruella. During the 1920s Arteaga studied music at the New York College
of Music. She performed at Carnegie Hall and other city venues. Returning
to Puerto Rico, Arteaga founded the Chopin Music Academy in 1929, which
gradually was transformed into the prestigious San Juan Conservatory
of Music. She served as its president until 1937. She performed with
the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra as a soloist, produced concerts at
the San Juan Conservatory, produced and directed Puccini’s opera
La Bohème and Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria
Rusticana at the San Juan Municipal Theater. Although music was
a major part of her life, Arteaga lived a colorful private life and
engaged in many interests. Active in cultural and political organizations
such as the First Assembly of Puerto Rican Women of the Red Cross, Arteaga
also supported nationalist causes. A woman of strong opinions, she wrote
articles for such publications as Ambito, Poliedro,
El Mundo, La Correspondencia de Puerto Rico, and Curso
de música, among others.
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