The Spanish Golden Age, or "Siglo de Oro" as it is commonly called, was a period in which the Spanish Empire grew politically and its arts and literature reached their heights under the Spanish and Spanish Habsburg Catholic Monarchs. Historians consider the beginning of this period to be the extremely important year 1492, which marked the end of the "Reconquista" - i.e. The recovery of the Iberian territories from the Moors, the voyage of Columbus to the New World and the publication of the first grammar of the Spanish (Castilian) language. The end of the period is usually associated with the year 1659 - the end of the Franco-Spanish war.

These were extremely wealthy times when the arts flourished throughout the country. 16th century the music was dominated by Tomás Luis de Victoria, Cristóbal de Morales and Francisco Guerrero, who are considered to be among the most important composers of this century in all of Europe.

At the same time, the Kingdom of Naples (Southern Italy and Sicily) belonged to the Kingdom of Aragon, one of the most powerful dynasties in Spain. As a result, there was an unprecedented cultural exchange between these countries, which allowed the formation of a unique musical style that we find in the music of Sigismondo d'India, Giovanni Maria Trabacci and Cataldo Amodei.

The Spanish Netherlands was ruled by the Spanish branch of the Habsburg dynasty from 1556 to 1714. This territory included the present-day South of the Netherlands and almost all of Belgium. Mateo Romero was a Belgian-born Spanish composer who served as Kapellmeister in the Flemish Chapel, one of the two choirs of King Philip II of Spain (the other being the Spanish Chapel). M. Romero was one of the most respected composers of the time, called "El maestro capitán"

Siglo de Oro is a program that reveals the wonderful variety of sacred and secular music of Spain's Golden Age.


THE PROGRAM

Tomás Luis de Victoria. Magnum Mysterium / The Great Mystery
Francisco Guerrero. Prado Ameno / Beautiful meadow
Andrea Falconieri. Passacalle
Cristóbal de Morales. Asperges me / Sprinkle me
Mateo Romero. Corazón donde estuviste / Where are you, my heart?
Andrés de Sola Tiento de 1er tono / Tientas
Cataldo Amodei. In solitare arene / Lonely spaces
Giovanni Maria Trabaci. Consonanze Stravaganti / Extravagant consonants
Sigismondo D'India. Già mai l’alma / Never again, soul
                                    Cosi per ben / Yes for the beloved
Giovanni Maria. Trabaci Peccantem me / Me a sinner
Sigismondo D'India. Piangono al pianger mio / They cry because of my crying
Cristóbal de Morales. Circumdederunt me / Surrounded me
Francisco Correa de Arauxo. Magnificat
Tomás Luis de Victoria Salve Regina a 8 / Hail Queen for 8 voices