Repertoire

One of the true giants of the Iberian Early Baroque, Juan Bautista Comes was born in Valencia in 1582, there receiving the musical education that was standard throughout Europe: at the local cathedral choir-school. In 1605 he was appointed maestro de capilla of Lérida Cathedral, but three years later was called back to Valencia, to serve first as the vice-maestro of the Patriarca, and five years later as maest ro of the Cathedral. In 1618 he was named vice-maestro of the Royal Chapel at Madrid, returning to his native city in 1628, where he served as full maestro of the Patriarca, and, from 1632 to the end of his career, once again as maestro of the Cathedral. Comes was among the first to specify instrumentation, especially in his polychoral works. His writing is vivid, rich in drama and full of color.