Juan Blas de Castro facts for kids

Juan Blas de Castro (1561 – August 6, 1631) was a talented Spanish singer, musician, and composer. He lived during a very important time for music and theater in Spain.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Juan Blas de Castro was born in 1561 in Barrachina, a town in the Teruel province of Spain. He was the second of four brothers. His musical journey began early.

In 1592, Juan Blas de Castro joined the court of the Duke of Alba. This was in Alba de Tormes, a city in Salamanca. There, he became friends with a famous poet and playwright, Lope de Vega. Castro created music for many of Lope de Vega's poems. They both left Salamanca together later on.

Court Musician to the King

Castro's talent was recognized by the Spanish royal family. In 1597, he became a court musician for King Philip III of Spain. This was a very important role. He also served as an usher from 1599, which meant he helped manage royal events. He continued to work for the king until his death in Madrid.

Collaborations with Famous Writers

After returning to Madrid in 1606, Juan Blas de Castro worked closely with his friend, Lope de Vega. Lope de Vega greatly admired Castro's musical skills. Another famous writer, Tirso de Molina, also wrote texts praising Castro's work. These collaborations show how respected Castro was by the leading artists of his time.

His Musical Works

Juan Blas de Castro was known for his "tonos humanos." These were popular songs, often romances, with a catchy chorus. Many of his songs were based on poems by Lope de Vega and Góngora.

Eighteen of his "tonos" are still known today. They are found in a collection called the Cancionero de la Sablonara. When he passed away, 771 of his "tonos" were found. These included both complex songs and simpler, popular tunes. Sadly, most of his music, especially his stage music, has not survived to this day.