Fernando Sirvent was born in Madrid on September 23, 1925, the youngest of thirteen children. His parents came from Almeria, Andalucia. His father, a Notario, died at 56 when Fernando was only six months old. His early childhood was profoundly affected by this loss. The whole family's lifestyle changed from prosperous high living to almost poverty, as his father had not saved for the future. This fact, along with the Spanish Civil war, divided the many brothers and sisters into opposing factions and resulting chaos. Fernando lived long periods of his childhood in Lijar, Almeria (home of his mother) especially during the war years. This small village was off the beaten track and not really directly affected by the atrocities of those years. His first love was bullfighting and he was considered very talented, much against his mother's wishes. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, an accident with a "cow" put an end to that profession! As a consolation, he was given a guitar and very soon found his real vocation. There was only one serious problem with his family, they never expected that he would take it up as a profession. They envisioned him either following in his father's footsteps as a Notario or after some of his brothers as doctors, mathematicians, etc. The result of their misgivings forced him to start out with the name Fernando Lara, but once he started to become famous, he returned to his family name with his family as his biggest supporters. Fernando Sirvent began his career in the Ballet Español de Vicente Escudero; and for many years he was the first guitarist of the Spanish Dance Company of Pilar López. In his early beginnings, he did several movies as actor and guitarist, including the still to be seen today "Goyescas" with Imperio Argentina. Some of the many artists he has played for are Tony Maya, El Agujetas, Jose Moreno, La Chunga, Ciro, Jose Greco, Antonio and for 39 years, Raquel Peña. In 1951 he went to New York City for a two-month contract which turned out to be the beginning of 45 years performing in that country. He performed in concerts all throughout North America, Europe and Latin America. In 1977 Fernando and his wife, Raquel Peña, were invited as guest artists to perform in the world famous International Flamenco Festival de Cantes de las Minas in La Union, Murcia, Spain. In 1988 Fernando returned to Pilar de la Horadada, Alicante, Spain as he was inflicted with Alzheimers disease and needed the peace and quiet of his beloved country home. He and Raquel moved to Guadalajara, Spain in 1995 for better medical care and to be closer to the family. Fernando passed away there on July 13, 1996, and he is buried with his mother and family in Madrid. Fernando Sirvent was part of the "Golden Age" of flamenco in the United States, along with such renowned artists as Sabicas, Mario Escudero, Niño Ricardo and Carmen Amaya. He was equally at home playing on a concert stage as soloist or accompanying flamenco dancing and singing. In his long and distinguished career, he played in many of the worlds leading theaters and symphonic halls with orchestra, soloist, or programs in television and radio. He also was the guest artist in the Flamenco Dance Company of Raquel Peña. He had many famous admirers of his art. Among them were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Rudolf Nureyev, Rita Haywood, etc. Fernando Sirvent has left us with many wonderful recordings, many LPs that are currently being transposed onto CDs - in their time they where all international best sellers. He also was instrumental in the production of three historic records recorded during the 1964 Worlds Fair in New York City. On these recording are the following artists: Fernando Sirvent, Raquel Peña and Juan Maya "Marote", Paco de Antequera, Emilio de Diego (guitarists) and singers, Juan Varea, Pepe el Culata, Calderas, Manolo Vargas and Tomás de Huelva. Fernando always played the guitars of José Ramirez; and in memory of Fernando, Ramirez donated one of his top guitars as a prize, in Fernando's name, to an outstanding young guitarist.