Juan Hidalgo

Juan Hidalgo was a prolific author of secular and theatrical music, as well by villancicos, both secular and sacred. He also created several liturgical functions, operas and so-called semi-operas. He’s generally considered the main Spanish author of his period. Hidalgo was created in Madrid on Sept 9, 1614. Small is well known of his early years, but by enough time he was fourteen or fifteen he previously become accomplished more than enough over the harp to become appointed harpist in the royal chapel, a renowned post for a good talented adult musician. He’d work in a single capability or another in the royal chapel and Spanish Courtroom for the others of his existence. It would appear that Hidalgo started composing for the theatre in the 1640s, at least relating to a created account from the composer himself. On what productions he worked well it isn’t known, though he most likely turned out plenty of theatrical tracks for subsequently dropped tasks. That speculation appears supported by the actual fact that around 1645 Hidalgo was appointed main Courtroom author of theatrical and secular tracks, as well by villancicos. Furthermore, he was put into charge from the Courtroom chamber players. Hidalgo was well-paid for his just work at the Courtroom chapel and most likely for his theatrical activity, aswell. It seems he also received attractive commissions or presents from customers: in 1655, for instance, the Archbishop of Seville paid him 200 ducats, evidently to get a commissioned function or for musical solutions. In the 1650s Hidalgo’s activity in the theatre genre emerged even more obviously, as he proved music for several projects, including spiritual takes on (autos sacramentales), spoken takes on or comedias (for these he offered tracks, such as for example for the 1656 creation Pico con Canente), zarzuelas, aswell as two operas and many semi-operas. He collaborated with librettist Pedro Calderon on a number of the zarzuelas and on his just full-fledged operas, La púrpura de la rosa (1659-60) and Celos aun del aire matan (1660). Hidalgo continued to be active almost to the finish of his existence, his last functions like the comedias, Icaro con Dédalo and Apolo con Leucotea, both from 1684. He passed away in Madrid in March, 1685. Hidalgo was well-liked and extremely well known in his period, and had become seen as a Spanish counterpart to his iconic near-contemporary in France, Jean-Baptiste Lully.