Juan del Encina

Aliases: Enzina, Juan dell; del Encina, Juan; del Enzina, Juan; de la Encina, Juan

Life

Born: 12 July 1468

Died: 1529

Biography

Born in Salamanca, Spain, in July 12, 1468, his original name was "Juan de Fermoselle", taking "del Encina" in 1490 (perhaps his mother's last name). In the Universidad de Salamanca (Salamanca University) studied laws achieving his doctorate. Despite his father was a shoemaker, del Encina had some brothers with important education and positions, one of them (probably the oldest one), Diego de Fermoselle, was cathedratic of music in Salamanca University and one of his works remains in the "Cancionero Musical de Palacio" (Music Palace Songbook).

In 1490, del Encina became Choir's Chaplain at Salamanca's Cathedral, job what he loose for not becoming finally a priest, serving (1492-1502) to some aristocratic courts (in ex.: the Duke of Alba). In the meanwhile del Encina tryed to become Main Singer at the Cathedral, but in vain, because the position was for his coleague (and some kind of Nemesis, for some people), Lucas Fernández. But what del Encina didn't find at Spain he found it at Rome. In 1502 Alessandro VI (Pope) finally gave him the position at the Cathedral. The favor that del Encina had at Rome (the Vatican) still continued under the next Pope: Julius II, who gave to him the position of "Arcediano" at the Cathedral of Malaga.

In 1519, del Encina was finally ordered as priest and decided to celebrate his first mass in Jerusalem. Since 1519 to his death, del Encina was Prior of the Cathedral of Leon.

The exact date of his death remains unknown, but it could be late in 1529 or in the beginning of 1530, because his Last Will document was open in January 14, 1530, and his position as Prior in Leon was transferred to other in January, 10.

Del Encina not only was a great composer, but a good poet as well (his poetry, including that what was not musicalized) is not so good as his music.

Today we have just 61 of his music works (we don't know how much is lost)

The main source of his music is the "Cancionero Musical de Palacio" mentioned above, but it is not the only one. Must be added the following: