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Carmelo Larrea was a classical music composer born on October 4, 1930, in Quito, Ecuador. He was the son of a prominent lawyer and a music-loving mother who encouraged his interest in music from a young age. Larrea began his musical studies at the age of six, learning to play the piano and violin. He showed great promise as a musician and went on to study at the National Conservatory of Music in Quito. Larrea's early compositions were influenced by the traditional music of Ecuador, as well as the works of European composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. He was particularly interested in the use of folk melodies and rhythms in classical music, and he incorporated these elements into many of his compositions. In 1952, Larrea received a scholarship to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. There, he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and conducting with Jean Morel. He also had the opportunity to attend concerts and performances by some of the greatest musicians of the time, including Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinsky, and Pablo Casals. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Larrea returned to Ecuador and began a career as a composer and conductor. He founded the Quito Symphony Orchestra in 1955 and served as its conductor for many years. He also taught at the National Conservatory of Music and was a frequent guest conductor with orchestras throughout South America. Larrea's compositions were widely performed and admired throughout his career. He wrote music for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments, as well as vocal and choral works. His style was characterized by a blend of traditional Ecuadorian music with classical forms and techniques. One of Larrea's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Quito Symphony Orchestra in 1960. The symphony is in three movements and features a variety of Ecuadorian folk melodies and rhythms. It was praised for its originality and its successful fusion of traditional and classical elements. Another notable work by Larrea is his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, which was premiered in 1965. The concerto is in three movements and showcases the virtuosity of the solo violinist. It also features a number of Ecuadorian folk melodies and rhythms, which are woven seamlessly into the classical structure of the piece. Larrea's vocal and choral works are also highly regarded. His Cantata for the Americas, written in 1976, is a tribute to the indigenous peoples of the Americas and features texts in Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. The work is scored for choir, soloists, and orchestra, and incorporates a variety of traditional South American instruments. Throughout his career, Larrea was recognized for his contributions to music. He received numerous awards and honors, including the National Prize for Culture in Ecuador in 1985. He was also a member of the Ecuadorian Academy of Music and the Latin American Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Larrea continued to compose and conduct until his death in 2014 at the age of 83. His legacy as a composer and advocate for the fusion of traditional and classical music lives on through his many works and the musicians he inspired.

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