'The Perfect Harmony of the World': Musical Representation of Royal Power during Margaret of Parma's Reign in Piacenza

This article analyses Margaret’s use of music and musical symbolism to assert her legitimacy as duchess of Piacenza. She entered the city with great sonic display in 1557 and 1568 and found a lively musical environment that included dance, one of her favorite pastimes. In order to establish Farnese control, the duchess chose Piacenza as her residence from 1557 to 1559 and started the building of the Palazzo Farnese, which was planned to contain a teatro all’antica under her patronage. She elected as her burial place the Cassinese monastery of San Sisto, an institution with a tradition of liturgical chant. The description of Margaret’s solemn funeral in 1586 testifies that the monks performed composed polyphony for the occasion, reflecting her royal dignity with musical magnificence. © Brepols Publishers NV