Four Plays of Gil Vicente

Gil Vicente’s early drama bursts onto the stage with a vivid mix of reverence and irreverence, and this collection captures four of his most representative works. The solemn “Auto da Alma” guides listeners through a soul’s pilgrimage toward divine judgment, while the brash “Exortação da Guerra” summons patriotic fervor with a tongue‑in‑cheek rallying cry. Together they showcase Vicente’s skill at weaving moral questions into lively, spoken verse.

The lighter side of his talent appears in the bustling “Farsa dos Almocrevés,” a mischievous satire of market traders, and the bucolic “Tragicomédia Pastoral da Serra da Estrella,” where shepherds and sprites mingle in a playful yet poignant tale of love and loss. Presented in a faithful translation of the rare 1562 edition, the text is accompanied by scholarly notes that illuminate period idioms and cultural references, inviting listeners to experience the rich humor and heartfelt humanity that made Vicente Portugal’s beloved “Father of Portuguese Drama.