Mateo Flecha

Mateo Flecha, also known as Mateo Flecha "El Viejo," was a prominent Spanish composer and musician of the Renaissance period. He was born around 1481 in Prades, Catalonia, and served as a choirboy in the royal chapel of Ferdinand II of Aragon. Flecha is best known for his pioneering work in developing the Spanish villancico genre, which combined elements of popular secular music with sacred themes. His most famous composition, "Ensaladas," are multi-sectional works that cleverly incorporated different languages, styles, and musical influences. These Ensaladas often included humorous and satirical elements. Flecha's musical innovations greatly influenced later composers, and his works are recognized for their melodic beauty and rhythmic complexity. He died in Prades around 1553, leaving behind a significant legacy in the history of Spanish music.