Manuel de Falla was one of the leading Spanish composers of the early 20th century. During his studies with Felipe Pedrell in the late 1890s, he developed an interest in Andalusian folk music and native opera—or the Spanish form of operetta, zarzuela. Political turbulence forced the renowned composer to leave his country and move to Argentina. In 1940, he was offered a large pension by General Franco, who encouraged him to return, but Falla refused to come back and remained in Argentina until his death.