He learnt guitar at a young age from Francisco Tárrega in Barcelona, music theory from Leon Farret and Vicente Pastor as well as harmony from Felipe Pedrell in Tortosa. In 1905 he settled in Cuba. In the east of the island, he brought the guitar to life that was only known as an accompanying instrument. He did not teach much (pupils are for example: Violeta Carvajal Rodíguez and Amaranto Alfonso). Even when it was difficult, he gave countless concerts in squares, in theatres, parks, private houses. In 1914 he gave his first concert in Antilla (today: Holguín municipality), followed by a repeated tour of neighboring towns. He was the first to offer the Tárrega works here. In principle, he played when he was in the mood. Gelabert was a vagabond, a bohemian, an alcoholic who has stayed with a friend in Quemado de Güines for the past few years. (Rainer Stelle)