MEXICAN BAROQUE
Music of 17th and 18th Century
Sunday, May 23, 2010
4:00 p.m.
St. Boniface Catholic Church
318 North Ninth Street, Lafayette
“Mexican Baroque” is not an oxymoron like “Jumbo Shrimp.”
This vivid program features little-known sacred music composers of the Mexican high baroque — and that is very high indeed — sung in Latin with Baroque strings, trumpets, and timpani. Also, 18th century popular villancicos, guarachas and negrillas, sung in Spanish set to popular dance rhythms, and accompanied by guitars and percussion. The Mexican villancicos, described as “sacred entertainment for the masses,” have texts that are sometimes playfully humorous and sometimes profoundly spiritual. The alternation of the popular and sacred music of the Mexican high baroque reveals the deep reverence and the joy of living of the Mexican Baroque.
We’re two weeks out in rehearsal now, and I can say this is going to be a very memorable concert, and not merely because we bid vaya con Dios to Maestro William Jon Gray.
Tipsy Teetotaler ن 