Music as a form of art, as we understand it today, is a relatively new concept. Originally, it was a component of rituals such as church services. During the Renaissance period, music was also a tool for evangelising Indigenous peoples. Religious South American music repertoire of the 17th century is, thus, inextricably linked to the role of the Catholic church in colonisation. By presenting works by Spanish composers, as well as composers who were active in the newly colonized South America, the Basel-based Ensemble Thélème aims to question the use of music as a political tool. In the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century, the most important composers of the Americas came from the Iberian Peninsula. Among them were Mateo Flecha El Viejo (1481-1553) and Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599). During this period, the chapel masters, such as Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla (ca. 1590 - 1664), were native Europeans, although they wrote most of their works on the other continent. On the other hand, Francisco López Capillas (1614 - 1674), who only after his death was discovered not to have been born in Spain but in Mexico City, was one of the first representatives of a generation of musicians who lived and worked exclusively outside Europe. In addition to this early music, Ensemble Thélème also wants to create new links to the South American continent. Argentine composer Alex Nante (born in Buenos Aires in 1992) was commissioned to create a new work. Conductus compiles excerpts from Pistis Sophía, a Gnostic treatise from the 4th century, to music. For the project "No me abandones en el caos,” Ensemble Thélème decided to collaborate with the Swiss musician Noémi Büchi (born in Zurich in 1991) and develop sound dramaturgy. For this particular project, Büchi drawn inspiration from bell sounds and folk rhythms which she transformed electronically. Répertoire: Mateo Flecha El Viejo (1481–1553) — “El Fuego” Francisco Guerrero (1528–1599) — “Salve Regina” Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla (approx. 1590–1664) — “Tristis est Anima mea” Francisco López Capillas (1614–1674) — “Aufer a nobis” Alex Nante (*1992) — “Conductus” (UA)
