One of the most important zarzuela composer in nineteenth century Spain. He attempted to create a Spanish national opera, founded the Zarzuela Artistic Society and co-founded the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid in 1856, along with Francisco Asenjo Barbieri, José Ynzenga, Rafael Hernando, Cristóbal Oudrid, Emilio Arrieta, Luis de Olona and Francisco Salas.
Gaztambide was a disciple of Pedro Albéniz and Ramon Carnicer. In 1848 he was appointed orchestra director at the Teatro Español. He also co-directed the Teatro Variedades, among others.
His most famous works are El sueño de una noche de verano, Catalina (1854), El juramento (1858), Una vieja (1860), among others.