International Conference
Women and Music in the Iberian Courts (1600-1900)
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Facultad de Geografía e Historia (Aula de Grados)
7th and 8th May, 2026
This international conference will be the third meeting on “Music in the Iberian Courts,” jointly organized by INET-md (NOVA FCSH), ICCMU, and the Complutense University of Madrid. The two previous editions were held in Madrid (2018) and Lisbon (2019) and gave rise to the book Música en las cortes ibéricas (1700-1834): ceremonial, artes del espectáculo y representación del poder (SEDEM, 2023), edited by Cristina Fernandes and Judith Ortega.
Despite recent advances in research in the fields of Women’s History and Gender Studies, these remain insufficient in Portugal and Spain when it comes to music. Regarding the Royal Courts, the paradox of “highly visible, often obscure” (Earenfight, 2008) persists. The Iberian monarchies of the 17th to 19th centuries, whether absolutist or constitutional, constitute a fertile field of study from this perspective, comprising both in-depth investigation of relatively well-known figures and the revelation of others who remained in the shadows. Matrimonial ties between the two Iberian courts, and with other European courts, as well as political alliances and family and diplomatic networks, contributed to the circulation and exchange of cultural and musical practices, in which women played, directly or indirectly, important roles. Furthermore, the musical activities of royal and aristocratic women from Portugal and Spain sometimes extended to other territories, including the colonies of both Iberian countries. With this conference, we aim to explore issues related to women and music in the Iberian world through different scientific approaches.
Among other possible themes related to this scope, we intend to study how women made (or did not make) political use of musical patronage; what activities royal and aristocratic women engaged in; what repertoires they cultivated and which musicians they promoted. We will also seek to understand to what extent their relationship with music was due to gender stereotypes, linked to tradition and/or court ceremonial, or to individual choices.
Scientific Direction
- Judith Ortega (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)
- Cristina Fernandes (INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon)
Organization
- Universidade Complutense de Madrid – Departamento de Musicologia
- ICCMU, Instituto Complutense de Ciências Musicales
- INET-md, NOVA FCSH, Research Group “Historical and Cultural Studies in Music”