Music at the Time of Don Quixote

The publication of Cervantes’ Don Quixote in the early 17th century signalled an important  milestone for European culture. Widely considered as the first Western European novel, the novel traces the adventures of the idealistic Don Quixote as he navigates a rapidly changing world. Since then, he has become an important symbol of idealism and disillusion with the modern world, so much so that the word ‘quixotic’ has become an adjective in its own right.

This concert celebrates not only Cervantes’ creation, but also the cultural milieu that made it possible. Duo Belcorde interprets a wide selection of music contemporary to Cervantes or inspired by his work.

This includes popular dances reimagined by the 17th century Spanish composer Gaspar Sanz, and the Don Quixote Suite by Georg Philip Telemann. The programme offers a rich musical journey that takes us from the Renaissance into the Baroque, through the sound  of the Spanish guitar…