This historic musical ensemble will once again perform at ceremonial events on the island after years of absence.

The Consell de Mallorca is bringing back the Joch de Ministrils: this was announced by the president of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, on Thursday. ‘This is a musical group of great historical relevance, which will once again perform at ceremonial events on the island after decades of absence,’ he said.

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The Consell de Mallorca recovers the Joch de Ministrils

This group, whose roots date back to the 16th century, disappeared more than a decade ago, although its legacy has endured in celebrations such as the Diada de Mallorca or the parade of the triumphal chariot of Santa Catalina Tomás. Specifically, the Ministrils are being revived and will perform at these outstanding events and three others, such as Maundy Thursday, the Day of the Balearic Islands and the Estendard festival.

The Ministrils were a group of public artists who performed on solemn occasions, both in churches and in civil ceremonies, using Renaissance and Baroque instruments such as flutes, cornets, horns, bass drums and sackbuts. Their music was characterised by its harmonic and timbral richness, and contributed to keeping alive the musical heritage of the period.

The president of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, stressed the importance of this recovery: ‘With the reintroduction of the minstrels, we are taking another step forward in the preservation and dissemination of our rich musical heritage. Their presence at key events will allow Mallorcans to once again enjoy an essential part of our history.
After more than two decades of documentary work and restoration of instruments, the reactivation of the Joch de Ministrils will be done with nine musicians, with the intention of recovering its full 15-member formation by 2025. In addition, the Consell de Mallorca has committed to the restoration of the original instruments and the conservation of the musicians’ costumes and musical arrangements.
The minstrels will make their first reappearance at the Colcada de Santa Catalina Tomás this Saturday, 19th October, marking their official return to the island’s most important ceremonies. They will also offer a series of educational and explanatory concerts in Palma’s Teatre Principal to recover and disseminate the island’s musical heritage.