Vicente Espinel as a Musician

Abstract

The recent publication of Diversas rimas by Vicente Espinel, based on the unique edition prepared by the poet himself and published in 1591, should rekindle interest in one of the most versatile talents and celebrated personalities of the late Renaissance in Spain. An Andalusian by birth—he was born in Ronda in 1550—Espinel displayed abundantly the ardent temperament and innate artistic gifts so frequent in the natives of this warm and sensuous yet strangely mysterious and ancient land. Furthermore a keen intellect directed these natural talents to make of him in his mature years one of the most respected critics as well as one of the most admired poets and musicians of his day.