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Spanish composer and pianist, a leading figure in late-Romantic Spanish classical music, renowned for his evocative piano works and operas deeply inspired by Spanish folklore and art.Born in Lleida, Catalonia, Granados studied piano in Barcelona and later in Paris. He founded his own piano school in Barcelona. His music is characterized by its lyrical Romanticism infused with distinct Spanish elements. His masterpiece, the piano suite 'Goyescas', inspired by Goya's paintings, led to an opera of the same name. His tragic death occurred during World War I when the passenger ferry he was aboard, the SS Sussex, was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the English Channel as he and his wife were returning from a successful performance of 'Goyescas' in New York.

• Granados initially declined French citizenship offered to him in Paris out of loyalty to Spain.
• His international breakthrough came after the immense success of his piano suite 'Goyescas' (1911).
• The premiere of his opera 'Goyescas' at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in January 1916 was a major event, marking the first opera by a Spanish composer performed there. President Woodrow Wilson attended.
• His death was a direct result of World War I. After the SS Sussex was torpedoed, Granados managed to get into a lifeboat but saw his wife, Amparo, struggling in the water. He jumped back in to save her, and both drowned. Their six children were orphaned.
• His music, especially the poignant 'Lament' from 'Goyescas' and the lyrical 'Spanish Dance No. 5 (Andaluza)', remains immensely popular worldwide.