El clave del Emperador: Diego de Pantoja and his legacy
El clave del Emperador: Diego de Pantoja and his legacy
The selection of works on this disc provides a glimpse into the extraordinary cultural diversity that thrived in the Chinese court for nearly two centuries, owing to Diego de Pantoja's introduction of European music into the Forbidden City. Arranged into four major sections that depict and recreate various moments of this unique historical episode, the pieces are seamlessly connected, adhering to the programmatic structure designed for the concerts. The journey begins with music from Pantoja's era, showcasing his musical legacy through the accounts preserved by Jesuit missionaries who resided in the Chinese court until the late 18th century. This program honors the Spanish Jesuit Diego de Pantoja (1571-1618) on the 450th anniversary of his birth. Pantoja, alongside the Italian Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), was the first European to serve the Chinese court in the early 17th century. This event marked the beginning of a unique historical chapter, notable for its duration and depth, in the cultural, scientific, and artistic exchanges between these two vastly different worlds.
Sponsored by the Valdemoro City Council, the Chinese Cultural Center in Madrid, the Confucius Institute of Granada, the Confucius Institute of Madrid, the Cervantes Institute in Beijing, and the Miguel de Cervantes Library in Shanghai.
In collaboration with the Úbeda and Baeza Early Music Festival (FeMAUB), the Andrés de Vandelvira Early Music Festival (FeMAAV), the Confucius Institute of Zaragoza, and the Manuel de Falla Archive Foundation.
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