Sunday, January 18, 2026

Musician Manuel Rivera Baz of Mexico by Mary Cummins, Mary Rivera Cummins

Manuel Rivera Baz, famous Mexican music professor, orchestra leader, music composer and song writer. 

Manuel Rivera Baz 1882-1941

Early Life

Manuel Rivera Baz was born July 19, 1882 in Distrito Federal, Mexico. He was a music professor, orchestra leader, music composer and song writer. His father Manuel Severo Rivera 1853 – 1912 was a music professor and orchestra leader. His mother was Maria Trinidad Baz 1866-1904 the daughter of Mexican Senator Enrique Baz 1843-1932. Rivera Baz was baptized in Santa Veracruz church July 22, 1882 in Guerrero Sureste, Mexico [Mexico, Select Church Records, 1537-1966, Ancestry.]. 

Rivera Baz' siblings were Enriqueta Rivera Baz Vigneaux 1884-1972, Jose Manuel Nicolas Rivera Baz 1886-1887, Maria Carolina Rivera Baz 1887, Jose Ysidro Rivera Baz 1890-1891, Joseph Maria Rivera Baz 1892-1981, Luis Trinidad Rivera Baz 1894-1983, Alberto Joseph Rivera Baz 1897-1987, Maria Luisa Trinidad Rivera Baz Cummins 1899-1991 and Eduardo Rosendo Rivera Baz 1903-1905. 

Musical Career

Rivera Baz was educated at the German Music Conservatory and the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica (National Conservatory of Music) in Mexico City, Mexico. He was considered a child prodigy who conducted at the age of 10 and gave his first piano concert at the age of 12 [Who’s Who in Latin America 1914.]. The New York Herald refers to Prof. Rivera Baz as “He has the fire of genius and vitality in his work that distinguished him from any other pianist.”[ New York Herald cited in Arizona Daily Star May 12, 1909.] 

It was also stated, “Rivera Baz is a Spaniard and studied with Alberto Jonas. At the age of 10, it is stated, his musical aptitude was so pronounced that Jonas took him as a protégé for many years. Baz possesses a powerful tone and has a true Spanish Temperament in his interpretation. Not only is Rivera Baz well known as a pianist, but his experience as an orchestra leader and composer is well established, having toured South America directing the Italian Opera Company and having held innumerable positions as conductor.”[ The Houston Post, Houston, Texas, “Engaged Spanish Soloist. Manuel Rivera Baz Will Entertain Guests at Saunter’s.” Man 24, 1913, pg 11.]

And, “Lovers of music will fairly revel at the masterly playing of Senor Manuel Rivera Baz, the highest salaried musical director ever engaged with a musical play visiting this city. At the incredible age of 16 years he was engaged as a teacher in the National Conservatory in the City of Mexico. He is an author of considerable repute, especially of Spanish operas, probably chief of which is “El dos de Abril.” His correct technique, interpretation and sentiment reveals in his an exquisite pianist.”[ “Town Sport” Tonight. This Rural Musical Comedy Made Big Hit Yesterday.” The Leavenworth Post, Leavenworth, Kansas, Nov 22, 1909.] 

Rivera Baz was a founding partner in the 1922 Mexican Points Union to “safeguard the interests of its members against the theater business men.” He is listed in Compositores Mexicanos Siglo XX.

Discography

Rivera Baz holds multiple copyrights for songs, operas and operettas. He wrote the music for operetta “La Nina Lupe” 1946 which was premiered by Esperanza Iris in her own theater in Mexico. 

“La Borrachita,” arrangement.
“En Mi Rancho Bonito,” Mexican folk song, song writer, arrangement, composer.
“El tecolote,” (The owl), Cancion Michoacana, 1924, composer for orchestra, Victor recordings.
“La Nina Lupe,” operetta.
“Tehuanas,” de la Opereta “La nina Lupe” con letra de Enrique Uthoff 1924.
“El Mosquito Zumbrador,” (The mosquito) song writer, composition, arrangement.
“Ecos de Mexico,” Aires Nacionales, Capricho de Concierto, para piano. 
“Le Somelle dul’anfante,” operetta.
“Aparecio Hoja de album.”
“El doctor Argensola,” operetta in three acts. 
“Obertass.”
“Legende.”
“Le Revelie due Lion.”
“Il Trovatore,”
“Cancion del Olvido.”
“Rosas Espagnolas.”

Selected Performances

1906 El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas, “Concert for the poor of Juarez,” pg 8.
1909 Tucson, Arizona charity event at Whitwell hospital[ Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona May 4, 1909, pg 8.]. 
1913 Houston, Texas, The Houston Post, Houston, Texas, “Blitz Plays Again!”pg 5.
1913 Houston, Texas, The Houston Post, “Engaged Spanish Soloist,” pg 11.
1913 Played piano with the German orchestra Sangerfest playing “Das Herz am Rhein” by W. Hill. 
1923 Puebla, Mexico “Hermosa Fiesta Cultural en la Ciudad de Puebla,” Jueves de Excelsior.  
1938 “Choristers of Havana Here Today. Foremost Music Group Of Cuba Will Give Concerts In Hollywood,” Miami, Florida, The Miami News, Miami, Florida, pg 37

Personal life

Rivera Baz married Esperanza Alvarez 1886-1951. Together they had the following children, Esperanza Rivera Baz Alvarez b.1903, Julio “Jules” Rivera Alvarez 1905-1993, Louis Rivera Alvarez 1909-1910, Enrique Rivera Alvarez 1911-1972, Ruth Rivera Baz Alvarez 1912- apx 1970, Jose Rivera Alvarez 1923. 

References

 1. Mexico, Select Church Records, 1537-1966, Ancestry.

 2. Who’s Who in Latin America 1914.

 3. New York Herald cited in Arizona Daily Star May 12, 1909.

 4. The Houston Post, Houston, Texas, “Engaged Spanish Soloist. Manuel Rivera Baz Will Entertain Guests at Saunter’s.” Man 24, 1913, pg 11.

 5. “Town Sport” Tonight. This Rural Musical Comedy Made Big Hit Yesterday.” The Leavenworth Post, Leavenworth, Kansas, Nov 22, 1909.

6.  Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona May 4, 1909, pg 8.

Written by Mary Cummins, Maria Rivera Cummins, grand niece of Manual Rivera Baz. He was the brother of my grandmother Maria Luisa Rivera Baz Cummins. He was also my grandmother's godfather.

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