"Favila has given us a glimpse into a fascinating world where divinity and humanity meet." -- Jonathan Arnold, Theology"Cesar D. Favila writes with compassion and curiosity, and with a love of storytelling that brings his material to life. He makes it possible for us to hear the long-silenced voices of women religious--chanting, singing, speaking--through meticulous scholarship, vivid biography, and fresh analysis of a wealth of sources. Immaculate Sounds weaves together the varied cultures of New Spain, creating textures and layers from strands of race, gender, faith, creativity, and community, in a multisensory, absorbing, and ultimately tender narrative." -- Laurie Stras, Professor Emerita of Music, University of Southampton"Cesar D. Favila's compelling monograph expertly weaves together scores, archival documents, biographies, art, and architecture to create a richly colored tapestry depicting musical culture in the convents of New Spain. The organization of the book--with its emphasis on both individual stories and the larger historical context--allows him to illustrate the soundscape of monastic life with musical examples that reflect a 'timeless, cyclical, and cosmic' approach to women's history.
" -- Colleen Reardon, Author of Holy Concord Within Sacred Walls: Nuns and Music in Siena, 1575-1700"Favila discloses an expansive, new world of convent culture, abounding in fresh musical, visual, literary, biographical, and bibliographical information. Readers familiar with Western European traditions may sometimes nod in agreement as he situates New Spain's convent music in its devotional contexts. At other times, his eye-opening revelations might even make them blink." -- Craig A. Monson, Paul Tietjens Professor Emeritus of Music, Washington University in Saint Louis"Blending cultural history, musical theory, and archival research, this work will definitely change the interpretation of the musical heritage of women's convents in colonial Mexico." -- Asunció³n Lavrin, Emerita Professor of History, Arizona State University"Immaculate Sounds makes important strides towards understanding the musical experience of New Spanish nuns as part of a more extensive set of devotional practices. Furthermore, the study models an effective methodological strategy for overcoming the difficulties of scattered and incomplete archives, a challenge that plagues scholars of colonial Latin America and beyond. All in all, Favila offers readers a rare opportunity to hear inside the imposing walls of New Spanish convents.
His thoughtful reflections upon cloistered women's music make long-forgotten voices audible and open our ears to newpossibilities." -- Sarah Finley, Project Muse.