ABOUT THE CONCERT

The conquest of Latin America was characterised by ambition, boldness, cruelty and related to the rare metals discovered there, particularly silver and gold. The story of Latin America was marked by the ambitions of the European kings, who wanted the silver and gold for their own goals and purpose. But what they didn't know is that real gold and silver was the magnificent baroque music that was born from the mixing of indigenous music with the European styles and instruments. Later the African slaves brought their rhythm and enriched this music, which first came from Spain to America and then back to Spain with these new influences.
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The first written works were religious hymns, for the native Americans, incorporating elements of symbolism from both Christian and ancient indigenous religions in a sort of religious syncretism.  This programme contains music of Christmas and Passiontide, the most important religious celebrations but with the influence and the characteristic colour of native traditions.  The dance is a very special component of the native American cultures, which connected those living on earth with the Gods living in the heavens. One of these dances, the Chacona, was born in the jungles of South America, and came back to Europe with its sensual movements to and became the queen of the dances, that even Monteverdi, Lully, and Bach adapted in in their own style.