The Politics of Exile, the Dedication of the Cathedral of Puebla, and the Music of Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla

In her groundbreaking study, Professor Vilar-Payá explores the political, historical, and cultural context surrounding the dedication of the Cathedral of the City of Puebla—one of the top three Baroque musical centers in the Americas—in 1649. Her presentation focuses on the events that marked Bishop Juan de Palafox y Mendoza’s forced return to Spain. While architecture and painting serve as visible reminders of the time, the music most likely performed at this major historical undertaking remained a mystery until recently. Professor Luisa Vilar-Payá teaches at the Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Mexico, where she also served as Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for twelve years. Her publications in Argentina, Mexico, Spain, and the US are notable for their original and innovative approaches, covering a wide variety of historical periods and composers, and using music analysis as a key factor of historical reception. Recently, she has explored the composite historical and political affairs that inform the liturgical music of Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla (1590-1664).https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/laii_events/1053/thumbnail.jp