The short, but brilliant career of the Spanish tenor Miguel Fleta lasted for sixteen years, from his debut in Trieste 1919 until his retirement in 1935. He died three years later. With his death, his name escalated to the world of legends and those who cherished him spoke of the greatest tenor ever.
Miguel Burró Fleta was born in Albalate de Cinca, Huesca, on the 1st of December 1897. At the age of 11, he began the study of solfeggio while working in the local agriculture industry, then later on with his sisters in the Zaragoza district. It was in Zaragoza in 1917, at the age of 20, he first appeared on stage, participating in the Jota-festival of Villanueva de Gállego, decisive for his entry into a singing competition in the city of Zaragoza the same year. He did not win but received certain recognition from the jury who, declared that his vocal qualities were superior to the other contestants.
In late 1917, he moved to Barcelona, where he stayed with his brother, who managed to gain an audition with the Director of the Music Conservatory of the Liceu (Isabel II). His application was declined as there were no vacancies in the male classes. However, Fleta had been overheard by the reputed vocal pedagoge Luisa Pierrick, who taught at the conservatory and with a substantial career as a singer behind her. Pierrick considered the potential of Miguel Fleta to be of such an extent that she admitted him into her own classes, which were confined to female voices.