José Lidón

As an musician Lidon held positions as an organist at Orense Cathedral, first organist of the royal chapel in Madrid, and rector of the Real Colegio. Lidon maintained the latter two positions until his death. The genres in which he composed include organ music, sacred vocal works with orchestra, a serious opera and chamber music. The organ music was characterized by counterpoint, figured bass, and melodic strains evenly contained through all the voices. Sacred choral music was dominated by an air of asceticism and starkness. Lidon's `opera seria' contained few differences from the Italian operas of his day; but, this opera was in Castillian which distinguished it from any other. The chamber music that Lidon composed is of little interest other than it being a unique form for Spanish composers. ~ Keith Johnson