Francisco Alonso López was born in Granada on 9th May 1887. As a child he demonstrated great musical skills and curiosity, beginning his training with Antonio Segura Mesa and later with Celestino Vila de Forns, a composer and also the choirmaster of the Cathedral of Granada. Alonso soon became a major figure in the cultural life of the city thanks to his compositions and his work as conductor of two important ensembles: the Powder Workers of El Fargue Band (Granada), and the Choir of Granada Philharmonic Society.