Hernando Franco (1532-1585) was a Spanish composer of the Renaissance, who was mainly active in Guatemala and Mexico.



Franco was born in Galizuela, Spain, and studied music at Segovia cathedral with Gerónimo de Espinar.
Most likely Franco went to Nueva España in the 1550s. In 1573 he became maestro di capella of the cathedral in Guatemala City. In 1575 he held the same position at the new cathedral in Mexico City in 1575.



Franco wrote 20 motets which survive, as well as 16 Magnificat settings and a setting for four voices of the Lamentations of Jeremiah.



Franco's style is related to that of other Spanish composers of the period, though more conservative, treating dissonance carefully, avoiding chromaticism and virtuosity; indeed tending towards austerity. His settings of the Magnificat were influenced by those by Cristóbal de Morales. The voice range of his works is limited, and may reflect the singing abilities of his choirs, which were not up to the musical standards of those in Europe.



Franco is the earliest known composer in Guatemala; his two pieces in the archives of the Guatemala cathedral, a Lumen ad revelationem and a Benedicamus Domino, are the earliest surviving manuscripts from the area.