Francisco López Capillas facts for kids

Francisco López Capillas (born in 1608, died in 1674) was a very important Mexican composer. He was one of the first famous composers born in the Americas, specifically in what was then called New Spain (which is now Mexico). He wrote many beautiful pieces of music, especially for church services.

His Life Story

Francisco López Capillas was born in Mexico City in 1608. His father was Bartolome López, and his mother was María de la Trinidad. When he was young, in 1625, Francisco joined the choir at the Mexico City Cathedral. There, he learned a lot about music from his teacher, Antonio Rodriguez Mata.

In 1643, Francisco got a new job at the Puebla Cathedral. He became an assistant organist (someone who plays the organ) and a dulcian player. A dulcian is an old musical instrument, similar to a bassoon. He stayed in Puebla until 1648, then left to find other opportunities. We don't know where he was for the next six years.

In March 1654, Francisco returned to the Mexico City Cathedral. He showed them a book of his own musical compositions. Just a month later, the choirmaster (the person in charge of the choir) passed away. Only four days after that, Francisco López took over the important role of choirmaster and main organist! From this time on, he started signing his name as 'López Capillas', which means 'López of the Chapels'. He kept this job until 1668. After that, the roles of organist and choirmaster were separated. He continued as choirmaster until he died in 1674.

Francisco López Capillas is known as the first important composer born in the Americas. He created many pieces of Baroque music. This style of music was popular from about 1600 to 1750. He wrote several masses, which are musical settings for church services. He also composed motets (short pieces of sacred choral music) and magnificats (songs of praise).

His Music

Francisco López Capillas wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of his most famous works:

Masses

• Missa Pange lingua; for 6 voices
• Missa super scalam Aretinam; for 5 voices (based on a musical scale)
• Missa Aufer a nobis; for 4 voices (based on one of López's own motets)
• Missa super Alleluia; for 5 voices (based on one of López's own motets)
• Missa Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas; for 4 voices (based on a motet by another composer named Palestrina)
• Missa Quam pulchri sunt gressus tui; for 4 voices (also based on a Palestrina motet)
• Missa Re Sol; for 4 voices (based on a song by Riscos)
• Missa batalla; for 6 voices (based on a French song by Janequin)

Motets

• Adiuva nos, Deus (the first part was written by Antonio Rodriguez Mata)
• Aufer a nobis
• Christus factus est
• Cui luna, sol et omnia
• Cum iucunditate
• Ecce nunc tempus
• Ego enim
• Et incarnatus est
• In horrore visionis nocturnae
• Lumen ad revelationem
• Quicumque coluerit apostolorum
• Tenebrae factae sunt
• Velum templi

Other Works

• He also composed 8 magnificats.

See also

In Spanish: Francisco López Capillas para niños