Triste Espana sin ventura

Triste España sin ventura (“Sad Spain, without joy”) is a lament which expresses the deep sadness and the insecurity that engulfed Spain in 1497 upon the death of the nineteen-year-old Crown Prince Juan, beloved son of the Catholic Monarchs. The Prince had married Margaret of Austria that same year, and del Encina had composed Triunfo de Amor (“Triumph of Love”) for their wedding.

This is one of four pieces contained in the octavo Quatro canciones espanolas del Renacimiento (Four Spanish Renaissance Songs).  Other pieces in this octavo are Oy, camomos y bebamos, Teresica Hermana, and Nino Dios de amor herido.