programme
Parts from Cantigas de Santa Maria:
100 Santa María, Strela do día
353 Quen a omagen da Virgen e de séu Fillo honrrar
116 Dereit’é de lume dar
424 Pois que dos Reis Nóstro Sennor
67 A Reínna grorïosa tant’ é de gran santidade
and Andalusian classical music from the 11th and 12th century:
Raml Maya Inssiraf Betayh
Darj Gribat Lhoussien
Inssiraf Qaym wa nisf Raml Maya
Darj Hijaz Machruiqi
Bessite Gribat Lhoussain
Nssiraf quddam Isstihlal
performers
Cappella Amsterdam
Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra
Sahand Sahebdivani storyteller (Dutch)
background
With Cantigas, you embark on a musical journey back to the heart of the early Middle Ages, to the vibrant metropolis of Córdoba. Here, you will hear the music that once echoed through its streets: an enchanting selection of Marian songs from the Cantigas de Santa Maria and Arabo-Andalusian pieces that are still sung and played in the Maghreb today.
These songs were compiled by order of King Alfonso X, also known as “the king of the three religions.” During his reign, Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together in harmony, and their shared influences are clearly reflected in the music. The rhythmic structures and themes of the songs bear witness to this unique cultural fusion. To make this musical journey as authentic as possible, the Amsterdams Andalusisch Orkest performs on instruments that were in use during the 12th century.
