Born in Renaissance Seville, Francisco Guerrero is today regarded as one of the most important composers of the 16th century. His refined counterpoint and his unique treatment of melody made him a key figure of the Spanish polyphonic style. The beauty of his sacred music placed him alongside masters such as Morales and Victoria, while his taste for secular music easily won over a people sensitive to the simplicity of beautiful popular melodies: his songs were heard all over Seville, songs that, at the twilight of his life, he eventually agreed to publish.
Comet Musicke presents his life and part of his work, briefly retracing the career of this travelling musician. His adventures, often told by himself, unfold in different cities of Spain, as well as in Italy, and even in Jerusalem or Bethlehem. The cultural wealth of his native city, Seville, combined with his genius, and perhaps also his closeness to the world of painting (his father was a master of the discipline), gave birth to a colourful and varied style in which music marries words wonderfully, a counterpoint always suited to the emotion of the text, an aspect that no doubt anticipates the Baroque style that would emerge a few decades later.
Guerrero lived 71 years, most of them devoted to his musical art, to his work as chapel master and to his travels with the court and the clergy; he gradually became a much-appreciated figure of Sevillian society, for he was always kind to his musicians, generous towards the poor (until he found himself barefoot and penniless), eloquent, a master of rhetoric… He played the harp, vihuela, organ, cornett… and was famous for his contralto voice.
Let us discover the story of this master of counterpoint, son of Seville.
Performers
Aude-Marie Piloz – viola da gamba
Francisco Mañalich – tenor & viola da gamba
Marie Favier – alto
Camille Rancière – vihuela de arco & bass
Cyrille Métivier – vihuela de arco, cornetto & contratenor
Sarah Lefeuvre – soprano & recorder
François Joron – tenor
Jeroen Bredewold – bass
Cyrille Lerouge – contratenor
Laurent Sauron – percussion