He is particularly remembered for composing the lyrics to "La Pollera Colorá" and the song "Lamento Costeño".
[3] Choperena's first original composition was a song called "¿Por qué estás así?
[4] The success of "La Pollera Colorá" led Pedro Salcedo to move his orchestra to Bogotá, but Madera chose to stay in Sucre.
At some point Choperena started claiming sole credit for composing the song.
[5] Choperena died on 1 December 2011, at the age of 87, after being hospitalised due to symptoms of Parkinson's disease.