Even if the name Vicente Lusitano is hardly known today, he is probably the most important composer in Portuguese history, and he is probably also the first black composer whose works appeared in print.

Born around 1520 in Olivenca, Portugal, he is described in sources as a 'pardo' (Portuguese for 'half-breed'), his mother was probably of African descent.

Lusitano was a Catholic priest for a time and came to Rome in the entourage of the Portuguese papal ambassador. In Italy, he soon made a name for himself as a music theorist and his theoretical writings appeared in various publications. In 1561 he converted to the Protestant faith and went to France and Germany, where his traces are lost.

Only a few of Lusitano's works have survived, including his Liber primus epigramatum printed in Rome in 1551 - a collection of a total of 23 magnificent sacred motets for 5 to 8 voices with direct references to Josquin Desprez.

The Ensemble Arte Minima has recorded this collection, which will be released as world-premiere recordings. The first part is now available and contains seven motets for 6 and 8 voices.