The King's Singers: The New World

The Age of Discovery in the 16th century saw horizons expand around the world. European explorers and merchants travelled to unexplored lands, developing links in food, art, religion, and music. In particular, the exploration of South and Central America by the Spanish and Portuguese at this time led to some of the most colourful, dramatic, and long-lasting cultural fusions in history. 

This program explores the musical links between Iberia and the ‘New World’ of South America, looking at the glorious European Renaissance music introduced by these conquistadors and merchants. It also remembers the musical traditions already in existence in South America, and celebrates how these two different musical heritages fused to form the seeds of a whole new world of South American music that flourished over the course of the following 500 years.