Medieval Music Online 2026: The Cantigas de Santa Maria

A year-long dive into the music and the world of the Cantigas de Santa Maria.

With over 400 songs in the collection, we are going to focus on different themes as a way of navigating this vastness! Themes will also bring out how much the Cantigas can tell us about various aspects of medieval life. Each session will feature lots of singing and playing, as well as informative tips on technique, background theory, reading notation and other useful information, Each session will also have some content on aspects of theory or musicianship that might be useful for people wanting to work independently.

Sessions will take place from 1900-2000 on the last Wednesday of each month.

The whole course costs £80 for the 12 sessions. 

Friends of MMitD get a discount of 50% and will receive instructions on obtaining the discount by email. If in doubt, get in touch.

January 28th: Pilgrimage

Feburary 25th: Illness

March 25th: Cantigas de loor.
These are the songs of praise of the Virgin rather than miracle story songs. It’s rather fitting that this session will be on Lady Day.

April 29th: Women

May 27th: Churches

June 24th: The Supernatural

July 29th and August 26th:
Reviewing work so far, starting to work on either or both of an Online Performance and a live performance at the September festival.

September 30th: Monastic life

October 28th: Courtly life and Alfonso's parents

November 25th: Laws and prison

December 30th: Cantigas de loor (2)