Daniel Broncano is often associated with his famous brother, David Broncano, the witty host of Insurrection. Yet he has built a distinct career as a devoted musician and steward of culture, quietly shaping Spain’s musical life and influencing audiences beyond the concert hall. While David commands the limelight on screen, Daniel works behind the scenes and on the stage, bringing a thoughtful approach to performance that blends technical precision with an intimate sense of storytelling. Those who follow both brothers know that their paths intersect in their shared curiosity and discipline, a quiet testament to how family can nurture two very different forms of art. Daniel’s work over the years has shown how classical music can remain vibrant, relevant, and deeply rooted in regional tradition as it travels to larger audiences.
Born in 1986, two years after his brother, in Orcera, a small town perched in the Sierra de Segura in Jaén, Daniel carried a love for music from his earliest days. He began his formal study at the local conservatory, where the first notes and disciplined practice became a daily rhythm. His talent opened doors to more demanding programs, and he pursued studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid and later at the Royal College of Music in London. Those years shaped a musician whose tone and phrasing could bridge the warmth of Iberian musical traditions with the clarity and depth demanded by international concert stages. The training gave him a solid technical foundation and a broad artistic perspective that would guide his future collaborations.
Daniel is recognized as a distinguished clarinetist who has performed with notable ensembles, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. Across collaborations with varied bands and orchestras, he has demonstrated both technical fluency and expressive sensibility, moving audiences with a nuanced sound that draws listeners into the heart of the music. His career has taken him to stages across Europe, where he has shared the stage with conductors and soloists, and where audiences respond to his ability to balance precision with human warmth. In every performance, Daniel communicates a sincere love for classical repertoire while inviting audiences to hear it with fresh ears.
Beyond the concert hall, Daniel has established himself as a cultural manager with a clear sense of mission. In 2013, in Segura de la Sierra, Jaén, he helped found the Música en Segura festival, a venture that has grown into a meaningful platform for music in rural contexts. The festival brings high-caliber classical programming to communities that are often underserved, while also spotlighting the local cultural heritage and encouraging dialogue between artists and residents. Through the festival, Daniel has shown that music can be a catalyst for community life, education, and pride in regional identity.
In April 2022, Daniel was named director of the Córdoba Orchestra, a role that involves artistic leadership, programming oversight, and collaboration with guest musicians and educators. In 2023 he took on the additional responsibility of technical director of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, a position that combines strategic planning with hands-on orchestral work. In both roles, he has pursued new ideas and partnerships that aim to broaden access to orchestral music, promote contemporary commissions, and strengthen ties between regional audiences and professional ensembles. His work continues to contribute to a dynamic, evolving Spanish music scene.
Daniel Broncano has faced difficult moments, too. In 2013 he lost his wife, Felicity Smith, a New Zealand mezzo-soprano, who died suddenly from a pulmonary embolism. The personal loss left a lasting mark, yet he has spoken of time not healing all wounds while noting that the steps taken to heal oneself matter. In his public reflections, he has emphasized the importance of resilience, the endurance of memory, and the ways in which art can help communities and individuals move forward after tragedy.
Despite pursuing different tracks, Daniel and David have maintained a close family bond. They appeared together in a joint interview a few years back, a rare glimpse into the shared values that anchor their lives. While David has become a familiar face on television, Daniel contributes through music, education, and cultural leadership. Their stories run parallel in many ways, and the brothers’ mutual support underscores how art can be a connecting thread between distinct careers and audiences around the world.