From 13 to 29 November, the town of Montoro will host the iii festival of sacred and ancient music, a cultural event designed to promote and highlight the musical heritage and the figure of troubadour Antón de Montoro. This initiative is supported by the Cultural Delegation of the Diputación de Córdoba.
Organised by the Cofradía de la Misericordia y Angustias and directed by musicologist Antonio Madueño, this year’s festival introduces ancient music into its programme. The schedule includes an exhibition, choral meetings, and concerts dedicated to sacred repertoires, spanning from the Middle Ages to the early Renaissance, as well as significant compositions from Western music.
Gabriel Duque, the Cultural representative of the provincial institution, stated that “the incorporation of ancient music is embodied in the figure of Antón de Montoro, a renowned 15th-century satirical poet of Jewish descent, whose legacy we will explore through an exhibition and various musical proposals.” He emphasised that “with this third edition, the festival expands its artistic horizon and reinforces its commitment to the recovery and dissemination of the musical heritage linked to the locality.”
programme of the iii festival of sacred and ancient music
The programme will commence on Friday, 13 November, at 20:00 in the Teatro Municipal Miguel Romero Esteo with the choral meeting Eterna Gloria, featuring the Coral Polifónica Ecijana and the Coral Polifónica Montoreña. The following Friday, 20 November, the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen will host the concert Voces de un tiempo. La música en la época del Ropero de Córdoba at 20:00. The ensemble Harmoniae Cordubensis, comprising soprano, piano, violin, and cello, will present a journey through repertoires linked to the time of Antón de Montoro, referencing medieval and Renaissance musical traditions.
One of the most anticipated moments of this edition will occur on 28 November at 12:30, with the recital Antón de Montoro, entre la risa y la herida. This performance will showcase his songbook in the courtyard of the former community centre, featuring Rocío H de Vera as the poetic voice and M.ª Dolores Casco on piano.
In addition to the musical activities, from 13 to 29 November, an exhibition titled Antón de Montoro. Poesía y legado literario del trovador del siglo XV will be available at the Montoro Tourist Office, allowing visitors to discover this figure and his literary contributions. The festival, backed by the Diputación de Córdoba and the Montoro Town Hall, aims to bring music and cultural heritage closer to the public through artistic and educational initiatives.
