Las Cigarreras cultural center in Alicante hosts This Saturday at 19:30 a concert by Capella de Ministrers. The program features a medieval music ensemble performing a selection from the Palace Musical Songbook, exploring music from the era of the Catholic Monarchs. The collaboration is organized with the Consortium of Museums of the Valencian Community.
The translators are young scholars supported by Capella de Ministrers, an internationally renowned group. The historical music director Carles Magraner will present a compilation dating back to 1987 that includes unpublished pieces from the court of the Catholic Monarchs. The concert offers free admission and will also be staged in Valencia and Castellón.
Paula Anó, the Culture and Sports Regional Secretary, highlighted that the Consortium continues to deliver. She noted that the Valencian Community receives a high-quality cultural program across three provinces, featuring an outstanding musical repertoire and the acclaimed stage presence of Capella de Ministrers.
The event closes the seventh edition of the Acadèmia Capella de Ministrers, held at Center del Carme de Cultura Contemporània. The edition aims to fill gaps in studies and broaden access to a unique repertoire focused on medieval to early modern music and on professionalizing musicians. This year’s focus centers on music in the court of the Catholic Monarchs.
Palace Musical Song Book
The Palace Musical Song Book is a collection from the early 16th century comprising at least 450 pieces gathered from the Catholic monarchs’ court. It is largely attributed to Juan del Encina and features a wide range of songs, from Christmas carols and romances to playful tunes about daily life, love, and heartbreak. The collection serves as a remarkable testament to the era’s poetry and music.
This artistic program will also be included in exhibitions and festivals across Spain, including the Granada Early Music Festival in May, the Mendoza de Ayora Mencía Festival in July, and the Morella Early Music events in July. A Renaissance festival in Valencia and other forthcoming dates will be announced by the organizing body at a later time, with additional cities joining the tour as details become available.