Lionheart, El Siglo de Oro

Great recordings of the Spanish Renaissance composers Francisco Guerrero and Cristobal de Morales are often hard to find. Luckily, Lionheart has simplified the task by taking matters into their own hands - they recorded their own album. Perfectly balanced and blended voices are qualities to which every vocal ensemble aspires, but not everyone acquires. Lionheart does. If you love the Renaissance Period or you're wanting something other than the usual Mozart and Beethoven, El Siglo de Oro is just the album for you.

On this album you'll find works by Francisco Guerrero and Cristobal de Morales as well as a handful of Gregorian chants. Guerrero was born in Seville, Spain, and judging by his appointment as maestro de capilla (singing master) at Jaen Cathedral at the age of 17, he was quite gifted in music. Guerrero's music became exceedingly popular as it was published in multiple cities in multiple countries. Guerrero was an avid traveler, and apart from his music, he wrote a travelogue of his journey to the Holy Land titled, "Viage de Hierusalem." Guerrero's music is lyrical and balanced. It's been referred to as the baroque music to the New Land, because copies and imitations of it have been found in several cathedrals in Central America. Morales was also born in Seville, Spain, but spent most of his time in Rome (though, he was always proud of his birthplace). Morales, once a teacher of Guerrero, was not only a great musician, but a great academician. Morales earned a living by singing in the papal choir, where the Pope showed him much favor. Morales music is often considered to be the most influential Spanish composer.

The Lionheart ensemble performs regularly at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Cloisters. It is also the resident ensemble of at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church. Lionheart's smooth sound, lyricism, and heartfelt musicianship has earned them performances at many of the leading music venues in the US and the world.