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> Auto sacramental Universal Peace or the Iris and the Lily (1660)

Universal Peace

This ambitious production, which premiered at the 47th Cuenca Religious Music Week, is a staging of one of the most beautiful autos-sacramentales of the Spanish Golden Age: Universal Peace or the Iris and the Lily, with a text by Calderón de la Barca and music by José Peyro, originally performed in 1660 to celebrate the Treaty of the Pyrenees and the wedding of the infanta María Teresa (daughter of Philip IV) to Louis XIV of France.

The work was made possible by a team of specialists drawn from a range of disciplines: literature, history, music, dance, verse diction, set design and research. Leading them were Juan Sanz (stage director), Miguel Ángel Coso (stage designer), Ana Yepes (choreographer) and Albert Recasens (musical director).

The work requires actors, singers, instrumentalists and dancers specialized in historical performance working together to create a multi-layered celebration, a “unique spectacle” respectful of Calderón’s text and incorporating the music of the ‘Manuscrito Novena’ (Ninth Manuscript) for the first time. The dancing and Pepe Corzo’s splendid wardrobe design are essential elements in this baroque feast for the senses.

 

Work:

Pedro Calderón de la Barca (text), José Peyró (music), Universal Peace or the Iris and the Lily.

Sacramental celebration first performed to celebrate the wedding of Louis XIV and María Teresa of Austria (1660)

 

Ensemble:

7 actors, 2 soprano soloists, 6 dancers, 22 musicians, 18 technicians and the production team. 55 people in total.

 

ANTIIQUA ESCENA –COMPAÑÍA DE DANZA DA ANA YEPES – LA GRANDE CHAPELLE

 

Juan Sanz, stage director

Ana Yepes, baroque dance

Pepe Corzo, wardrobe design

Albert Recasens, musical director

 

Premiered at the 47th Cuenca Religious Music Festival and also performed at the International Classical Theatre Festival in Almagro (2008)