Música y performance como estrategias de conversión en el Virreinato del Perú

Music and performance emerged as powerful tools for religious conversion during the Spanish colonization of the Andes, blending European liturgical traditions with indigenous practices to facilitate the spread of Christianity. This study highlights how Franciscan friar Luis Jéronimo de Oré's evangelization manual Symbolo Catholico Indiano (1598) and the 18th-century Jesuit missional opera San Ignacio de Loyola demonstrated the effectiveness of musical performance in teaching and delighting native populations, while also reinforcing Spanish colonial authority. By integrating Quechua lyrics with European music and narrating the lives of saints, these works not only promoted Catholicism but also showcased indigenous talent within the colonial system. The analysis reveals a strategic use of performance to replace violent conversion methods, offering both educational and cultural value.

Andrango-Walker, C. (2020). Música y performance como estrategias de conversión en el Virreinato del Perú. Latin American Theatre Review, 54(1), 125–148. https://doi.org/10.1353/ltr.2020.0021