Case study: Seville Cathedral's music in performance, 1549–1599

Seville Cathedral's musical practices during the 16th century, particularly under Francisco Guerrero’s leadership from 1549 to 1599, reflected a golden age of cultural and economic prosperity in Seville, influenced by its central role in transatlantic trade. The study highlights how polyphonic and instrumental music were deployed in liturgical contexts such as the Marian Salve service and Vespers, showcasing Guerrero’s contributions and their broader dissemination across Iberian churches. This lavish musical establishment, featuring an array of instruments including shawms, trombones, and recorders, competed with Toledo’s primatial church, setting a standard for musical excellence in Christendom. The research compares Guerrero’s repertoire with later works like Monteverdi’s Marian Vespers (1610), underscoring the enduring influence of Seville Cathedral’s musical traditions.

Rees, O. (2012). Case study: Seville Cathedral’s music in performance, 1549–1599. The Cambridge History of Musical Performance, 353–374. https://doi.org/10.1017/chol9780521896115.016