Juan Gutierrez de Padilla

Lucie Skeaping explores the life and works of one of colonial Latin America's greatest composers - Juan Gutierrez de Padilla.

Musician, priest and purveyor of fine musical instruments, Padilla was born in 1590 in Malaga, Spain. He took a big step in his church career by emigrating to Mexico in his 30s, and by the mid-1600s, he was Musical Director of Puebla de Los Angeles' magnificent cathedral and composer of a substantial collection of glorious works for double choir - firmly establishing the cathedral as the most outstanding musical institution of the Spanish colonies in the process. We also join Andrew Cashner, assistant professor of music at Rochester University, for a closer look at the impact of Padilla's social and cultural world upon one of his most intriguing works, Al establo más dichoso.