A precursor of the classical guitar, the vihuela rose to prominence in 16th-century Spain to become one of the most popular classical instruments of its day. It also features conspicuously in the work of the great Spanish Golden Age writer, Miguel de Cervantes, whose father is reported to have been an avid fan of the instrument.
In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the eminent vihuelist, Alfredo Fernández, will perform a choice selection of 16th-century Spanish vihuela music by its greatest composers, Luis de Milán, Luis de Narváez, Enríquez de Valderrábano, Diego Pisador, Miguel de Fuenllana, and Esteban Daza, interspersed with selected readings from Cervantes’ Sonnets and Epitaphs.
Join us after the concert for a complimentary glass of Spanish wine!
The guitarrísimo series is a collaboration between the Instituto Cervantes and the Iberian and Latin American Music Society, organised with the kind support of The Lute Society and Wines of Spain.
