Juan del Encina (12 July 1468 – 1529/1530)[1] was a composer, poet, priest, and playwright,[2]: 535  often credited as the joint-father (even "founder" or "patriarch") of Spanish drama, alongside Gil Vicente.

[3] In 1492 the poet entertained his patron with a dramatic piece, the Triunfo de la fama, written to commemorate the fall of Granada.

[5] He then applied for the cantor post at Salamanca Cathedral, but the position was divided among three singers, including his rival Lucas Fernandez.

[2]: 540 Encina was ambitious, looking to be promoted based on preferment,[3] so around 1500 he relocated to Rome, where he apparently served in the musical establishments of several cardinals or noblemen.

[2]: 539  The Aucto del Repelón and the Égloga de Fileno dramatize the adventures of shepherds;[2]: 540  the latter, like Plácida y Vitoriano, is strongly influenced by the Celestina.

The intrinsic interest of Encina's plays is slight, but they are important from the historical point of view, for the lay pieces form a new departure, and the devout eclogues prepare the way for the autos of the 17th century.

To make the text heard clearly, Encina used varied and flexible rhythms that are patterned on the accents of the verse, and used simple yet strong harmonic progressions.

[1] Juan del Encina's will was presented on 14 January 1530, so the exact date of his death is not known, but it is thought to be in late 1529 or early 1530.