"The Emperor's Harpsichord: Diego de Pantoja and His Legacy"

In this concert, Western and Chinese period instruments will come together to reconstruct the lively musical life of the Chinese Court in a tribute to the figure of Diego de Pantoja (1571-1618). This programme commemorates the fourth centenary of the death of this citizen of Valdemoro (Spain), who travelled to China and was a forerunner in establishing cultural relations with the Court of Emperor Wan Li of the Ming dynasty. In addition to providing accurate data about China in Spain and Europe, he brought the first keyboard instrument to the Forbidden City, teaching the art of the clavicord at the Imperial Court for the first time. From then on, the halls of the palace housed numerous Western instruments such as clavicords, spinets, organs or harpsichords.

The Emperor's Harpsichord: After the legacy of Diego de Pantoja is a unique proposal in the Spanish musicological scene, which brings together , the first Spanish ensemble to specialize in the research and interpretation of early Chinese music, as well as in the musical relationship between imperial China and the Western world; and Íliber Ensemble, a Baroque chamber group using period instruments and historical performance practice.

Click here to read the dossier of The Emperor's Harpsichord.