The centennial milestone of a landmark work marks a quiet, cross‑cultural dialogue that resonates across generations. At the Cervantes Institute, a renowned scene from Manuel de Falla’s stage legacy was honored by pairing a faithful facsimile of Master Pedro’s Altarpiece with a new companion volume. The pairing highlights how the composer’s stage visit continues to echo in contemporary memory and how his music still speaks to today’s audiences.
The original manuscript that inspired the Altarpiece—handwritten in ink and signed by the composer—was placed in box 1223 by his family in 2019. That treasured item, a tangible link to a turning point in Falla’s creative life, was entrusted to the Cervantes Institute by the composer’s Foundation in collaboration with the Granada City Council, remaining there through December 2023.
In keeping with conservation and scholarly presentation, the manuscript of Master Pedro’s Altarpiece, which draws its inspiration from a chapter of Don Quixote, was moved from display by the end of 2023 and replaced with a meticulously produced facsimile. The replacement preserves the visual and tactile experience of the original while expanding access for visitors and researchers alike.
Accompanying the facsimile is the newly prepared book How Many Trumpets Sound, crafted by Alfredo Aracil. Aracil serves as curator for the Manuel de Falla Archive Foundation, and this publication marks the centenary of the stage premiere of El retablo de Maese Pedro, which debuted in Paris in 1923. The book provides context, historical narration, and thoughtful analysis to deepen visitors’ understanding of the work and its reception on international stages.
The page devoted to this work was featured within the exhibition Past is Now. Altar of Master Pedro in the Madrid Student Residence, which remained open through January 28, 2024, tracing the 1923–2023 arc as a living dialogue between past and present.
Commenting on the broader significance of the event, Luis García Montero, director of the Cervantes Institute, noted that Falla, a leading figure in modern music, fostered a dynamic exchange between his own tradition and the avant-garde currents of his time. This cross‑pollination between the old and the new helps illuminate how the composer’s work continues to inspire creators, scholars, and audiences today.
The event culminated with a projection of a promotional video celebrating the Centenary Altarpiece portal, a digital initiative that further preserves and publicizes the score’s hundredth anniversary. The video acts as a bridge from stage to screen, ensuring Master Pedro’s Altarpiece remains accessible to a global audience while honoring its historical roots.