Pedro de Cristo

Pedro de Cristo (1545/1550 – 12 December 1618) was a Portuguese composer of Renaissance music. He is one of the most important Portuguese polyphonists of the 16th and 17th centuries. Life Pedro de Cristo was born in Coimbra, and in 1571 entered the Augustinian monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra. While there, he studied under Francisco de Santa Maria, who was the current chapel master (mestre de capela). Pedro de Cristo succeeded Francisco de Santa Maria as chapel master before serving in the same role at the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora in Lisbon. Cristo was ordered to return to Santa Cruz in 1605. In 1615, he was allowed to return to São Vicente. He died as the result of a fall in Coimbra in 1618. Music and Influence While at the Santa Cruz monastery, Pedro de Cristo likely studied under the chapel master Francisco de Santa Maria. This influence can be seen in Cristo’s early music through his limited vocal range, syllabic text settings, and the combined use of cambiata and passing tones of figuration. but also for his versatile background in various instruments. Cristo could play several instruments, including the keyboard, harp, flute, and dulcian. A contemporary manuscript,