Nebra, José (Melchor de) (1702–1768)

Spanish organist and composer. He wrote religious and secular works for the stage. In 1751, he was made vice-maestro di cappella at the royal chapel in Madrid under Francesco Corselli (c. 1702–1778), who neglected his duties for the composition of Italian operas. By 1757, Nebra had completely reorganized the court music.

He became organist at the Convent of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid and principal organist at the royal chapel in 1724. After the destruction of the library there in the fire of 24 December 1734, he and Antonio Literes Carrión (1673–1747) were commissioned to replace the lost church music and to restore what had survived. In 1758, he composed a requiem (Pro defunctis) for eight voices, flute, and strings for the funeral of Queen Barbara of Braganza, who had been Domenico Scarlatti's patroness.

Works Stage and church music 57 stage works; requiem, Miserere, psalms, and other church music; villancico for four voices.