Eduardo Zerega is known for composing a solitary piece of work originally for mandolin and guitar, called Souvenir de Bovio, a romance that translates as "Souvenir of the Bridegroom". With his wife, Senor and Senorita Zerega were also known for their mandolin and guitar group, and performed twice for Queen Victoria at Osborne House.
American newspapers from 1887 describe "Zerega's Royal Spanish Troubadours" who "produce the most exquisite and captivating music from their mandolins and guitars". English newspapers from 1888 mention Zerega Spanish Troubadours, consisting of Senor Edouard Zerega, Mandolin Virtuoso and Director, Senor Emilo Calamaro, Guitar Virtuoso, and Senorita Dema Terval, Mandolinist and Guitarist. The Stage newspaper describes the 5-piece group as coming from Madrid, and including vocalist Miss Lucille Saunders. By 1896 the band consists of seven players, four mandolins and three guitars. Reports from 1890-1893 also mention W. Zerega's Spanish Minstrels, a quartet of native born Spaniards who had just arrived from Madrid, who "play and sing the Spanish National Music, and dance". And in 1898 there is mention of Senor Zerega's Ladies Mandolin and Guitar Band, which consisted upwards of 50 performers. |
"Zerega" was a professional name. He was born Edgar E. Hill in Indiana in 1860, eloped and married his childhood sweetheart and neighbour, May D. Keith in 1880, who died in somewhat mysterious circumstances in New York City in 1896, in what was then known as The Zerega Mystery. They had a daughter Chinita in 1882. He is recorded in the 1901 and 1911 English censuses as Eduardo Zerega. He died in London in 1922.
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