Juan del Encina

The reconquest of Spain in the 15th century seemed to engender a remarkable proliferation of musical creativity that lasted at least into the 17th century. An early exponent of this was Juan del Encina, born in Salamanca in 1468. There are four main locations where he was active—Salamanca (including Alba de Tormes), the Papal Chapel in Rome, Malaga, and Leon where he died in 1529. Despite his association with three Spanish cathedrals and the Papal Chapel his known output is entirely secular—about 70 villancicos and romances.

In his youth Encina was involved with both the Cathedral and University at Salamanca. Then in 1492 he joined the household of Fadrique Alvarez de Toledo, 2nd Duke of Alva, at his castle at Alba de Tormes 15 miles up River from Salamanca. There he provided plays and entertainments with music. That same year the Duke had signed the capitulation of the Moors at Granada, and we find the Duke’s musician celebrating that event in song.

In 1498 Encina was called to the Court of Pope Alexander VI in Rome where he became the “closest familiar” to the Pope, again providing plays and entertainments to the Court, and being rewarded by the Pope with benefices at Salamanca Cathedral. Pope Alexander died in 1503 and the advantageous relationship continued with Pope Julius II who granted Encina the Archdeaconate of Malaga Cathedral. From 1508-19 Encina divided his time between Rome and Malaga. One of Encina’s duties was to represent Malaga Cathedral at the Spanish Royal Court, first with Ferdinand II then after 1516 with Charles V.

In 1513 Leo X, the music loving Medici, became Pope and showing his appreciation of Encina issued a special Papal Bull to the Malaga Chapter that Encina was not “to be disturbed . . in the enjoyment of his full income” while he was away in Rome. In 1519 Leo granted Encina’s final prebend—Prior of the Cathedral of Leon, whereupon he was finally ordained and decided to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He celebrated his first Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher there.

Juan del Encina returning to Rome stayed until Leo X’s death in 1521, then, finally, he assumed his duties at Leon Cathedral. In January 1529 the Cathedral Chapter installed a deputy for the invalid Encina. He died later that year.  Buried in Leon, his body was later disinterred and buried in the choir of Salamanca Cathedral as requested in his will.