Mateo Flecha

Mateo Flecha (known as “El Viejo”) was a 16th-century Spanish composer active in the Renaissance era, best remembered for his *ensaladas*—lively, multi-part vocal works that mix languages, styles, and story-like scenes into a single piece. These were often written for courtly entertainment and stand out for their humor, dramatic pacing, and quick shifts between sacred and secular material.

Some of his best-known titles include “El fuego” and the popular Christmas piece “Ríu Ríu Chíu,” which is frequently associated with the Flecha tradition (though its authorship is sometimes discussed in early-music scholarship). Today, Flecha’s music is a staple of early music ensembles looking for Renaissance vocal repertoire with personality, theatrical flair, and plenty of rhythmic bite.