Juan García de Zéspedes
(Puebla?, 1619 - Puebla, August 5, 1678). Mexican composer, singer, and viol player and teacher. He was appointed a soprano in 1630 at Puebla Cathedral. When the maestro refused to teach, Zéspedes took over much of this work. In 1664 he succeeded maestro Gutiérrez de Padilla in an interim capacity. The title maestro became permanent in 1670. Although censured by the cathedral chapter more than once over disagreements as to his duties, he had a long career ended by his paralysis late in life.
His musical compositions ranged from secular pieces inspired by folk music to the sacred.
Works
- Convidando está la noche
- A la mar va mi Niña
- Plange quasi virgo plebs mea
- Salve regina
Bibliography
- Renaissance and baroque musical sources in the Americas, R. Stevenson, 1970
- Christmas Music from Baroque Mexico, R. Stevenson, 1974
- Tesoro de la Música Polifónica en México, F. Ramírez, 1981
