A Golden Age

Events

Friday, 28 November 2025 at 10:30 am

St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Lavenham, United Kingdom

With the Reconquista and the discovery of the Americas in 1492, Spain found itself entering a century-long Golden Age during which it became widely recognised as the first global superpower under the powerful Habsburg rulers. With the ensuing flow of wealth from the newly conquered lands came an explosion in cultural activity, producing some of the period’s finest painters, architects and musicians. The Spanish Court and Spain’s major cities were a hotbed of musical innovation and produced some of the finest liturgical music ever written. Composers such as Morales, Guerro and Victoria were considered amongst the finest in Europe. Music from the Spanish cathedrals was even exported to the hastily built cathedrals in the New World, where they inspired a homegrown musical tradition. Thanks to Stile Antico for providing the concert descriptions.

Seville & Toledo, centres of musical excellence
Cristobal Morales, Asperges Me
Francisco Guerrero, Ave Virgo Sanctissima
Cristobal Morales, O Sacrum Convivium
Alonso Lobo, O quam suavis
Alonso Lobo, Ave Regina Caelorum
Francisco Guerrero, Vexilla Regis

The Iberian diaspora
Cristobal Morales, Jubilate Deo
Tomas Luis de Victoria, O vos omnes
Tomas Luis de Victoria, Tenebrae factae sunt
Vicente Lusitano, Regina Caeli

A gateway to the New World
Gaspar Fernandez, Xicochi Conetzintle
Juan de Padilla, Exsultate justi
Hernando Franco, Sancta Maria e y un il huacac
Tomas Luis de Victoria, Vidi Speciosam

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