Composer

:

Alfonso X (el Sabio)

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

13th c.

Average_duration

:

5:32

Cantiga de Santa María 85, Pera toller gran perfia, is a medieval Spanish song composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) in the 13th century. The song is part of a collection of 420 songs known as the Cantigas de Santa María, which were written in Galician-Portuguese and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Cantiga de Santa María 85 tells the story of a man who is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to death. The man prays to the Virgin Mary for help, and she appears to him in a dream, telling him to go to a certain place where he will find a horse and a sword. The man follows the Virgin's instructions and is able to clear his name and regain his freedom. The Cantiga de Santa María 85 is divided into three movements. The first movement is a recitative, in which the narrator sets the scene and introduces the main character. The second movement is a solo aria, in which the man sings a prayer to the Virgin Mary, asking for her help. The third movement is a duet between the man and the Virgin Mary, in which she appears to him in a dream and gives him instructions on how to clear his name. The Cantiga de Santa María 85 is characterized by its simple melody and repetitive structure, which is typical of medieval music. The song is accompanied by a variety of instruments, including the vielle, the lute, and the percussion instrument known as the tambourine. The Cantigas de Santa María were composed by Alfonso X (el Sabio) between 1257 and 1283. They were written in praise of the Virgin Mary and were intended to be performed during religious festivals and processions. The Cantigas de Santa María are considered to be one of the most important collections of medieval music, and they have had a significant influence on the development of Western music.

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