After writing the score of Angelo, tirano de Padua, he and his family emigrated to the United States of America in 1868 when war broke out in Cuba, returning in 1871. He now composed a second opera, Las primeras armas de Richelieu. Sent to Paris to complete his studies, he wrote various contradanzas when he returned.
He spent much of his life in Europe, but also wrote creole works Louisiana virgen tropical and Adios a Cuba.
His eight waltzes, his Soirées cubaines, and his romances were appreciated in Parisian salons. He wrote scores for Louisiana Czarina, premiered in the Royal Theatre of Le Havre, and Baltazar, at the Royal Theatre of Madrid.
He died in Paris. Despite this, his creole contradanzas are held in higher esteem today.