Sebastián Durón

Sebastián Durón (19 April (baptized) 1660 – 3 August 1716) was a Spanish organist and composer of the Baroque period. Sebastián Durón Picazo was, with Antonio de Literes, the greatest Spanish composer of stage music of his time. Life and career Durón was born in Brihuega, Guadalajara, Spain, and was the eldest child of two younger brothers and three sisters. His father, Sebastián Durón, was the church sacristan of Brihuega. Diego Durón, Durón’s half-brother, was also a composer. Sebastián Durón began his musical training with Andrés de Sola, who was the lead organist at La Seo Cathedral in Zaragoza. In 1679, Durón briefly took on the role of paid assistant to Sola before becoming the second organist at Seville Cathedral. He served in Seville until 1685, composing sacred music and villancicos while taking minor holy orders. Due to financial reasons, Durón moved to Burgo de Osma Cathedral as first organist, where he was given a stipend and a salary. In 1686, he accepted a more profitable position at Palencia Cathedral where he taught and composed for five years. Sebastián served as organist and choirmaster at various cathedrals (Seville, Cuenca, El Burgo de Osma, Plasencia) until in