Manuel

Oboist and composer, brother of Josep and Joan Baptista Pla. According to Josep Subirà, unlike his brothers, he never left Madrid. In 1744 he played with his brothers Francesco Corselli’s opera Achille in Sciro at Coliseo del Buen Retiro. He was instrumentalist of Las Reales Guardias Españolas and Las Descalzas Reales of Madrid, as well as a substitute for the Royal Chapel of Madrid. He composed for the theatre and composed the music of the first zarzuela (Quien complace a la deidad acierta a sacrificar, 1757) by Ramón de la Cruz. He also composed religious music (vilancets, oratorios and autos sacramentales) and tonadillas.