Lacalle composed numerous songs and marches, including "Twenty-third Regiment March" (1902), "Pobrecito Faraon" (1923), "Amapola" (1920),[2] "Aquel Beso" (1927) and "The Light That Never Fails (Luz Eterna)" (1928).
"Amapola" was originally composed with Spanish lyrics and performed instrumentally.
The song was then recorded by several artists including Jimmy Dorsey, whoseversion hit #1 on the Billboard charts.
[3][4] In later life, Lacalle worked as a music critic for Columbia Phonograph Company.
He founded the Spanish Theater Company in Brooklyn and presented Zarzuelas to American audiences.