It also prides itself on reviving neglected historic works and includes several programmes that feature such music. Úbeda and Baeza are also taking part in the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the death of Domenico Scarlatti with a program by the Orchesta Barroca de Sevilla that is based on pieces by the Neapolitan composer arranged as concerti grossi by the English composer Charles Avison.
Another highlight of the festival is the programme by A Capella Portuguesa, which will perform unpublished works by Manuel Leitão de Avilés (d.1630), rediscovered by Owen Rees. Meanwhile, Les Sacqueboutiers de Touluse and La Caravaggia present a selection of the instrumental repertoire heard by Francisco López de Sandoval, the Duke of Lerma, a favourite of King Felipe III and creator of a magnificent collection of music books for the collegiate church of San Pedro in Lerma.
El Cortesano, Camerata Iberia and Solistas de la Compañía Teatro del Príncipe will pay tribute to music in the palaces of nobles with three very different concerts: the first named with a monographic performance dedicated to the Granada-born vihuela player Narváez; the second with a repertoire in Spanish from the first half of the 17th century, copied into a recently discovered manuscript; and the third with chamber music played at the court of the Duke and Duchess of Osuna, which underlines the decisive role played by Spanish nobility in bringing international music to the Iberian peninsula.
The ubiquitous patronage of the Roman Catholic Church, the main sponsor of music up until the 19th century, is reflected in two other concerts conceived specifically for this festival: one by the Coro Barroco de Andalucía focusing on polychoral works by Malaga’s Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla, one of the most brilliant composers of Hispano-American Baroque music; the other will be performed by the Ensemble Elyma, directed by Gabriel Garrido with a selection of villancicos de negro (based on spirituals sung by black Africans) in Oaxaca and La Plata.
Another highlight of the festival will be the opening of the newly restored organ at the Church of San Andrés in Baeza. The instrument was built in 1790 and refurbished by Gerhard Grenzing. Andrés Cea and the duo formed by Esteban Landart and Francisco Rubio will be playing the organ. The festival will also repeat performances at the monuments to Andrés de Vandelvira, a prominent Spanish Renaissance architect, to pay homage to this native son of Jaén.
The goal is to support young musical groups, foremost among them Capilla Vandelvira, which emerged through the festival itself. The programming is rounded out with a pasacalles, or marching musical procession, by La Danserye, as well as educational concerts and a specialized course in music research. More information is available at www.festivalubedaybaeza.org