Laud and Satire of the Authority during Peruvian Viceroyalty: the Loa al corregidor Valdivieso, an Unknown Piece from the City of Piura (1775)

Abstract

The present work states the existence of a short theatrical piece represented in 1775 during the celebrations for the coming to power of Matías de Valdivieso as corregidor (crown official) of Piura. Prior to the transcription of the text, it summarizes and comments its contents, and identifies its features as typical of the post-Calderon courtier loa (introductory piece) gender, conceived not as a laudatory discourse but as a «miniature comedy». Also, it conducts an approximation to the circumstances in which the loa was represented and which explain its conservation in records of a judicial process because of insults against in Piura’s authorities.