Mateo Flecha

Mateu Fletxa el Vell ( cat.: the Elder ') and (Spanish ): Mateo Flecha el Viejo (* 1481 in Prades, Baix Camp, † 1553 in Poblet ) was a Catalan musician of the Renaissance. He had great significance for the development of an independent Catalan musical form, the Ensalada.

He spent his formative years at the master Joan Castelló. In 1523 he was appointed Kapellmeister of the cathedral of Lleida and finally he taught even the daughters of the Emperor Charles V., and Maria Joana.

His most important works are the Ensaladas (El Jubilata, El fuego, la bomba, La negrina, La guerra justa and La ) and some popular Musikstückchen called villancicos.

He died in 1553 as a Cistercian monk in the monastery of Poblet.

His nephew, Mateu Fletxa el Jove (, Mateu Fletxa the Younger '; 1530-1604 ), a musician with international experience, who compiled some important collections of Renaissance music, made ​​his music known and cared for their preservation.