From Mozart to Berghain: Rosalía's LUX Bridges Centuries of Musical Temptation
Rosalía’s new album LUX stages a unique collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra, blending centuries of musical styles and emotional depth. Before Beatlemania captivated crowds, there was Lisztomania; before clubbing became the norm, people waltzed in beer halls and sang operas ripe with longing and desire. Though these emotions feel timeless, musical tastes shift dramatically over time.
What once felt irresistible in a 3/4 waltz eventually gave way to the dominance of 4/4 beats in modern dance music. Similarly, religion evolves, adapting to new eras and personal beliefs. LUX reflects Rosalía’s intimate spirituality, drawing on her Catholic upbringing, classical philosophy, new age influences, Islam, and her own unique bond with God.
Created in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Daníel Bjarnason, LUX engages in a dialogue with both historical and contemporary musical and philosophical ideas. The album shares thematic and structural elements with Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the tale of a charming but reckless nobleman known as Don Juan.
“Questo è il fin di chi fa mal, e de’ perfidi la morte alla vita è sempre ugual,”
“This is the end of one who does evil, and for the wicked, death is like life.”
In Don Giovanni, the protagonist narrowly escapes danger repeatedly until finally confronting an unstoppable force and being dragged to Hell. Similarly, LUX puts Rosalía and her characters at moral risk, concluding with a stark reflection on human mortality.
Summary
Rosalía’s LUX merges historical and modern musical influences and personal spirituality into a profound narrative about temptation, morality, and the human condition.
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