This podcast provides an historical overview of musical ritual in Mexico City, starting with Mesoamerican music in relation to ceremonies of state, ending with the quintessential Mexican music: mariachi.

Mark Pedelty completed research in Mexico City concerning music in ritual contexts. Musical Ritual in Mexico City: From the Aztec to NAFTA, was published in 2004 by the University of Texas Press. Ordering information for the book is available through the University of Texas Press website: http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/pedmus.html Mark is an Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota.