Learning music from his father at an early age, Porumbescu was duly prepared for matriculation at the Vienna Conservatory where he became the student of Krenn and Bruckner. He helped to establish the Conservatory in Romania for instrumental and vocal music and had ample experience to do so given his compositions of operettas and numerous pieces for piano and violin. "Crai nou" was an operetta Porumbescu composed in 1882. By 1900 it had become the most popular of Romanian works in this genre. For political reasons he was confined to a specific district and was a leading musical organizer and musician of the area. He conducted, composed and helped to establish a society for students. Subsequently, his music became the rallying cry for young Romanian students. Popular music was Porumbescu's inspiration. He composed most of his music during his later years while in service at St. Nicholas' Church in Brasov. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi