Narciso Garay

Narciso Garay Díaz (June 12, 1876 – March 27, 1953) was a Panamanian violinist, composer, and political figure.

Garay in 1929, during his ambassadorship to Germany

Born in Panama City,^[1] Garay was the son of painter Epifanio Garay [es]; his sister was the poet Nicole Garay.^[2] He studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he took a first prize, and at the Schola Cantorum de Paris, ^[3] and from 1902 until 1903 was a pupil of Gabriel Fauré. Returning to Panama, he became director of the new Escuela Nacional de Música, occupying the position from 1904 until 1918.^[1] Active as an ethnomusicologist, he published Tradiciones y cantares de Panama in 1930; his compositions include a sonata for violin. Active as well in the diplomatic service, at one time he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He died in the city of his birth.^[3]