Acadèmia CdM was established to equip young performers dedicated to early European music with the practical skills and cultural insight needed to master this distinctive repertoire. The residential program invites participants to immerse themselves in the music of the medieval and Renaissance periods, emphasizing a historically informed approach. Students gain hands-on experiences that bridge study and professional placement, blending scholarly study with real-world practice to prepare them for auditions, ensembles, and period-instrument work in today’s concert scene.
In addition to core instruction, the academy offers the chance to work with the Capella de Ministrers group in Valencia, a renowned name in the field with a long-standing reputation for high-quality period performances. The program combines theoretical insights with practical exercises, and sessions take place in venues that mirror the symbolic spaces where early music thrived. Under the leadership of Carles Magraner, whose career spans more than three decades, participants learn through mentorship, performance practice, and collaborative projects that reflect current professional standards in early music production and concert presentation.
For its seventh edition, Academia CdM 2024 centers the study program around the Palacio Musical Songbook. This collection, dating to the early 16th century, is a treasure trove of at least 450 compositions assembled for a royal court environment in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The majority are linked to Juan del Encina (1468-1530), though the manuscripts do not appear to have formal ties to the court. The main genres documented in Cancionero include hymns, romances, and fantasies, along with popular songs that reflect daily life and a persistent fascination with love and longing. The compilation offers a vivid window into how poetry and music communicated across generations, serving as a bridge between past and future audiences while showcasing the social and cultural dynamics of the era.
Translators: Acadèmia CdM 2024
Adriana Ruiz, soprano Rita Morais, soprano Mario Corberán, tenor Matías Álvarez Noisel, tenor Antonio Sabuco, baritone
Sariah Miño, viola da gamba Marcelo Rubio, viola da gamba Emiliano Pérez, flute and cornetto Joan Marín, sackbuche Javier Caruda, basso Miguel Alejandro Núñez, guitar Elena Medina, theorba Lorenzo D’Erasmo, percussion
Directed by Carles Magraner
Joan Boronat, assistant director
Toni Aparisi, stage assistant
Beatriz Lafont, vocal assistant