Isabel Alvarez - Amoroso pensamiento: Spanish Music of the Golden Age (17th Century) (2025)

Under the title Amoroso pensamiento (a text by Miguel de Cervantes, one of the greatest writers in the world), we present a very special selection of works by great musical figures and texts by writers who contributed to the splendor of the Spanish Baroque. The Golden Age is called the "Golden Age" of Spain because philosophy, art, music and literature flourished between 1492 and 1681.

Among the most important composers of this period, we have selected Juan Hidalgo (1614-1685), Juan Arañés (1580-1649) and José Marín (1618-1699). Most of these sung works belong to the "zarzuelas" (Spanish namesake of the Baroque opera). Zarzuelas were of great importance in 17th century Spain: famous composers and writers would come together to create these works. The name "Zarzuela" (and not "opera", as in other European countries) comes from the fact that the first performances took place at the "Teatro del Palacio de la Zarzuela" in Madrid for the Spanish court.

The texts come from important writers of the time: Jorge de Montemayor (1520-1561), Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), Félix Lope de Vega (1562-1635), Luis Vélez de Guevara (1579-1639), Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681) and Agustín de Salazar y Torres (1636-1675).

The three most brilliant musicians who composed for the baroque guitar were Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710), Francisco Guerau (1649-1722) and Santiago de Murcia (1673-1739), of whom 12 exemplary pieces are presented here.