Musical life in the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile during the second half of the nineteenth century: a reconstruction from the periphery

Abstract

This article deals with musical activity in the religious institutions of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile, during the second half of the nineteenth century, paying greater attention to suburban and rural areas. This research is a first approach to the phenomenon, from the documentary search carried out in the Government Fund of the Historical Archive of the Archdiocese of Santiago. The study of these sources yields novel information regarding the budgets of parishes and confraternities for worship; the salaries of organist-singers; the multiple employment and shortage of musicians in the parishes; and the failure to comply with the reform of religious music, both for the participation of women, and for the use of instruments prohibited by the Church.