Destellos de una gloria olvidada. La música en la casa profesa y los colegios jesuitas de la ciudad de México en el siglo XVII

Abstract

The very few works dedicated to the analysis of the contributions of the Company of Jesus to the teaching and performance of music during Viceroyal times were almost exclusively centered on missionary activities. They left unconsidered a focus on musical undertakings of the Order in the main urban centres of New Spain. Based on recently found documentary sources, this article proposes reverting this situation of lack of knowledge on the presence of music in the Casa Profesa and the Jesuitic colleges of Mexico City in the period between the 1720s and the year 1767. The present contribution is the first one exhibiting historical testimonies refering to diverse aspects of the functioning of the music chapel serving the Company, and places the Jesuits as promoters of innovations of musical practice in the Viceroyalty during the XVIII Century.