Jaén Andrés de Vandelvira Early Music Festival Returns

The twenty-second edition of the Festival de Música Antigua ‘Andrés de Vandelvira’ will bring fifteen free classical music concerts to venues across the province of Jaén between October 24 and December 7. Organized by the Diputación Provincial de Jaén with sponsorship from Fundación Unicaja and collaboration from the Diocese of Jaén, the circuit pairs historical repertoires with architectural landmarks.

Reviving Historical Repertoires Across Jaén

Cultural leaders say the festival brings high-level artistic proposals to small towns. África Colomo, vicepresidenta tercera de la Diputación y diputada de Cultura y Deportes, noted that living in a small village should not mean fewer cultural opportunities. Carmen Espín, presidenta de la Fundación Unicaja Jaén, added that the initiative enlivens municipal cultural life and reinforces regional tourism. José Antonio Sánchez Ortiz, provicario general de la Diócesis de Jaén, highlighted that opening the doors of local churches lets music meet history, art, and spirituality.

Concert Schedule and Performance Dates

The circuit opens on October 24 in Fuerte del Rey with the Coro Ciudad de Jaén performing Spanish Renaissance music, followed by Ensemble EnClave in Huesa on October 31. Additional early November performances feature the Capilla Musical Los Seises de El Salvador in Chilluévar and the Coral Polifónica de la Basílica de San Juan de Dios in Ibros on November 7.

Jaén city hosts two major programs in November. On November 14, the Ottava Rima ensemble and Israel Moreno perform Sancte Ferdinande Rex: maestros de capilla de la Catedral de Sevilla inside the Jaén Cathedral. On November 26, Ensemble Escarramán presents Entre el cielo y la tierra: Juan Manuel de la Puente (1692-1753) at the Centro Cultural Baños Árabes de Jaén, highlighting works by a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach that festival director Javier Marín noted are returning to Jaén after three centuries.

Later dates include the Camerata Antonio Soler on November 29 at the Iglesia del Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas de San José del Salvador, Confluencia de dos mundos in Cabra del Santo Cristo on December 6, and Schola Antiqua in Alcaudete. The festival concludes on December 7 with two final performances by Ensemble Alkymia in Villanueva de la Reina and the Real Capilla del Pópulo in Santa Elena.

Heritage Preservation and Documenting Performance Projects

Organizers will record three distinct patrimonial recovery projects during this year’s edition to preserve and distribute historically significant compositions.