Música en el Quijote, Orphénica Lyra's 2005 release, is a delightful compilation of Spanish songs and dances from the lifetime of Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616). Corresponding to the various kinds of music described in The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote de la Mancha and Cervantes' other writings, the selections are predominantly vocal, sung with moving sensitivity and lovely tone by sopranos
Núria Rial and
Raquel Andueza and countertenor Jordi Domenech; there are also several vivacious instrumental pavans and gallardas interspersed to break up the album's program, which is strongly weighted in favor of sentimental and melancholy ballads in keeping with the tale of the Knight of the Mournful Countenance. These late sixteenth and early seventeenth century pieces are meticulously played by Fernando Paz (flutes),
Fahmi Alqhai (viola da gamba), Eligio Quinteiro (Renaissance guitar), Álvaro Garrido (percussion), and Orphénica Lyra's leader
José Miguel Moreno, who also plays vihuelas and Baroque guitar. While these rather serene and polished performances may seem too chaste for those who expect slapstick rowdiness or comic buffoonery in Don Quixote, they might inspire readers and listeners to look deeper into the novel and Spanish music of the time to discover their courtly elegance, gallantry, and tenderness. Glossa deserves high marks for its terrific sound quality.