Biografía:
Heredia, 1829 Important Costa Rican musician, he is the composer of the National Anthem. Since he was a child, he had talent for music, that`s why, when he was twelve years old, he was already a musician of San Jose`s music band and, a year later, he was part of Heredia`s one. When he was sixteen years old, a famous Guatemalan professor, Mr Jose Martinez, arrived to the country and helped the young Manuel Maria to enrich his musical culture; but, four years later, Mr Martinez died and was replaced by Mr Manuel who took the charge of General Manager of Bands. Three years and half later, after the war against the filibusters, the President of Costa Rica, Mr Juan Rafael Mora Porras, was told that important intermediaries from United States and England were about to arrive to the country. For this reason, the Commander of the Army, Mr Jose Joaquin Mora, ordered the Band of the capital to play the anthems corresponding to the visitors`s countries. In those days, Costa Rica didn`t still have its own anthem, so the President Mora entrusted Mr Manuel to compose an anthem for that day; and it was when, on June, 11th 1852, in the National Palace, the anthem was first heard along with the United States`s and England`s. Nowadays, his home city pays tribute to him, in front of the Carmen church there is a small park carrying his name and there is also a bust in his honor. For his merits and dedication to the country, he is considered “Estimable of Homeland”, the highest distinction awarded by the Costa Rican State, in constitutional agreement with his sons, given in November 1977.
