Daniel Catán (April 3, 1949 – April 9, 2011) was a Mexican composer, writer and professor known particularly for his operas and his contribution of the Spanish language to the international repertory. With a compositional style described as lush, romantic and lyrical, Catán’s second opera Rappaccini’s Daughter became the first Mexican opera in the United States to be produced by a professional opera company. Upon receiving international recognition, Catán’s next opera Florencia en el Amazonas became the first opera in Spanish to be commissioned by an opera company in the United States. Shortly after, Catán received a Plácido Domingo Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship Award for his contributions to music. In 2004, Catán’s opera Salsipuedes: a Tale of Love, War and Anchovies was premiered by