The Figueroas: Puerto Rico's first family of music

Latin Beat Magazine, May, 2004 by Frank M. Figueroa

Narciso Figueroa II, a concert violinist, was a member of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Casals Symphony Orchestra and a soloist with the El Salvador Symphony Orchestra. Narciso is now a member of the Metropolitan Opera House Orchestra.

Rafael Figueroa II is a cellist. He studied at Indiana University under the famous Hungarian professor Jano Starker. Rafael was selected to play Dvorak's Concert with a concert orchestra. He also won third prize in a contest conducted in Budapest, Hungary, in which 74 cellists participated. At present, he is a member of the Metropolitan Opera House Orchestra.

Paraphrasing the late President John F. Kennedy as adapted to this story: "Let it be known that the baton has been passed to a fifth generation of Figueroas." Yes, the great-grandchildren of Don Jesús and matriarch Doña Carmen al e honing their skills so that they may keep the high musical standards set by their ancestors. Maestro, bit the downheat, the Figueroas are ready to play! Or in the parlance of the streets: "There are Figueroas for quite a while yet!"

Note: Jaime "Kachiro" Figueroa died on January 12, 2003 at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his brothers Guillermo and José (Pepito.) Present at the burial were his widow Carmen, his children Rafael, Narciso, Jamie (Kachiro) and José, as well as other members of the famous Figueroa musical family.