TEXTUR 2026 - Filiae tonitrui

Description

Filiae tonitrui. A musical portrait of Saint James in the 12th century is a program dedicated to the figure of Iacobus Santiago and is entirely based on the famous Codex Calixtinus, one of the most important musical-liturgical sources of the Middle Ages. The texts of the selected works tell of the life, miracles, and veneration of the saint, combining narrative elements with hymns and prayers. The title refers to the biblical nickname Boanerges (“Sons of Thunder”), with which Jesus referred to James and his brother John. Filiae tonitrui (the “Daughters of Thunder”) alludes to the sonic power and expressiveness of the female ensemble that brings this repertoire to life. Musically, the program offers insight into the diverse compositional practices of the 12th century: monophonic chants, two-voice organum and conductus, as well as contrafacta, alongside compositions created specifically in the 12th century. Although intended for the liturgy of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, this music was probably compiled and composed in Burgundy, reflecting the European dimension of medieval pilgrimage routes. The EVOCA project (Exploración de la Vocalidad y la Oralidad del Canto Antiguo) was born in 2021 from the meeting of four singers who share a common interest in medieval vocal repertoires and related performance practices: orality and memory work, vocality and temperaments, polyphonic improvisation, and the interpretation of old notations. Building on the long-term research of Paloma Gutiérrez del Arroyo, the project is now developing together with Ana Arnaz, Èlia Casanova, and Amparo Maiques. From the beginning, EVOCA has been supported by the Aula de Música of the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, the Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània in Valencia, and the French festival Voix et route romane. A two-year artistic residency in Alcalá de Henares played a central role in deepening the work on oral tradition and musical memory. Currently, EVOCA is dedicating itself, in collaboration with Prof. Carmen Julia Gutiérrez (Universidad Complutense de Madrid), to a new research direction on the interpretation of Old Spanish chant. Participating artists: Ensemble Proyecto EVOCA