1728: Dominican friars found the University of Havana, establishing a center for Cuban religious musical instruction and performance


1762: British naval forces invade Havana and occupy it for ten months, during which time British-manufactured pianos, clavichords, flutes, and string instruments appear in Cuba
1776: newly-constructed Teatro Principal opens in Havana, opening the island to European opera troupes
1780s: sugar plantation owners import nearly 20,000 slaves to Cuba, strengthening African-derived religious practices on the island, namely santería and palo
1791: Haitian Revolution brings thousands of Afro-Haitian immigrants to Oriente, with their tumba francesa traditions

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