As a student at the Madrid Conservatory, Valverde won competitions in flute in 1867 and composition in 1870. Later he attempted to obtain a teaching position at the Conservatory by writing a textbook on the flute concerning its history and studies. Valverde did not get the position but the textbook was adopted later. Compositions by Valverde consisted of over two hundred instrumental works and some theatrical productions. He served as a theatre conductor for over twenty years. Though he wrote many works in collaboration with others Valverde also composed a number of works on his own including "Salon Enslava," La baraja francesa," and "La sangre moza." ~ Keith Johnson