Composer

:

Joaquín Rodrigo

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1948

First Performance

:

Apr 19, 1948

Average_duration

:

12:44

"Ausencias de Dulcinea" is a song cycle composed by Joaquín Rodrigo in 1948. It was premiered in Madrid on December 16, 1948, with the baritone singer Carlos Munguía and the pianist Rosa García Ascot. The cycle consists of six songs, each based on a different poem from Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote." The first song, "Dulcinea," is a tribute to the beauty and grace of the protagonist's love interest. The second song, "El retablo," describes a scene in which Don Quixote sees a puppet show and becomes enamored with the female puppet. The third song, "Sancho Panza," is a humorous portrayal of Don Quixote's loyal squire. The fourth song, "La mancha," describes the landscape of the region where the novel takes place. The fifth song, "El albaicín," is a nostalgic reflection on the past. The final song, "Muerte de Dulcinea," is a lament for the death of Dulcinea, who is not a real person but a figment of Don Quixote's imagination. The music of "Ausencias de Dulcinea" is characterized by its lyricism and simplicity. Rodrigo's use of tonal harmony and traditional song forms reflects his interest in Spanish folk music. The piano accompaniment is often sparse, allowing the voice to take center stage. The vocal melodies are expressive and emotive, conveying the various moods and emotions of the text. Overall, "Ausencias de Dulcinea" is a beautiful and poignant tribute to one of the greatest works of Spanish literature. Rodrigo's music captures the spirit of Cervantes' novel, bringing to life its characters and themes in a way that is both timeless and deeply rooted in Spanish culture.

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