At the Cloisters, Sor Juana's Words Ring Out in Song
In a remarkable fusion of medieval architecture and baroque poetry, The Cloisters museum in New York City has become the unlikely stage for the resonant verses of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the celebrated 17th-century Mexican nun and poet. The performance, featuring early music ensemble Sonnambula, brings new life to the words of Latin America's most important baroque poet.
Set within the museum's Fuentidueña Chapel, the concert series presents newly discovered musical settings of Sor Juana's poetry, combining period instruments with historically informed performance practices. The acoustics of the medieval chapel provide an ethereal backdrop for the poet's profound contemplations on love, faith, and intellectual freedom.
Sor Juana, often called the 'Tenth Muse' or the 'Phoenix of Mexico,' was a self-taught scholar whose writings challenged the gender and intellectual constraints of her time. The performance includes selections from her most famous works, including 'Primero Sueño' (First Dream) and various villancicos, set to music that bridges European and New World baroque traditions.
The concert series represents a groundbreaking effort to reconstruct how Sor Juana's poetry might have been performed during her lifetime in New Spain. Musicologists and performers have worked together to create arrangements that honor both the historical context and the emotional depth of the original verses.
This unique cultural event not only celebrates Sor Juana's enduring legacy but also highlights The Cloisters' role as a venue for exploring connections between medieval European art and broader cultural traditions. The performance series continues through the season, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the intersection of architectural, literary, and musical heritage.
