List of Argentine operas

This is a list of operas by Argentine composers. Argentina's first native born opera composer was Francisco Hargreaves (1849–1900) who composed "La gatta bianca" (1875) and "Los estudiantes de Bologna" (1897), followed by Zenón Rolón (1856–1902) who composed several operas as well as operettas and zarzuelas. The works of many of the composers from this generation were first performed outside Argentina. Native Argentine opera was to develop much more with the massive European (mainly Italian) immigration in the late 19th century and even more with the opening of the Teatro Colón in 1908 where most of the 20th century operas listed here had their world premieres.
Some of the first operas to treat Argentine subjects or national themes were Arturo Berutti's "Pampa" (1897) based on the life of Juan Moreira and "Yupanki" (1899) based on the life of Inca warrior Manqu Inka Yupanki. Also notable in this genre were Felipe Boero's "Tucumán" (1918) set during the Battle of Tucumán and "El matrero" (1929). Considered by many to be the quintessential Argentine opera, "El matrero" had a libretto based on gaucho folk tradition and incorporated Argentine folk melodies and a traditional gaucho dance. The Spanish playwright Federico García Lorca was also the inspiration for several Argentine operas. His plays, "La zapatera prodigiosa" and "Bodas de sangre", were the basis of operas by Juan José Castro, while Osvaldo Golijov's 2003 opera "Ainadamar" is based on events in the playwright's life.