Society and Culture
Spanish Flamenco
The term Flamenco covers a vast range of dance and music and is a mixture of Arabic rhythms and the songs of the 'gitanos' (gypsies) of Andalucia. The 'gitanos' settled in Andalucia in the 15th century and established the 'cante hondo' (deep song) and music, heavily influenced by Arabic rhythms. The guitar was derived from the Arabic lute and an additional sixth string was added in the 1790's.
However it wasn't until the 1870's that an Antonio de Tores gave the instrument the shape that we recognize as a guitar today. The emotional songs are performed by either a male 'cantador' or female 'cantora', are accompanied by haunting guitars and the dance is performed by the 'bailaores'. The music is not always easy for an outsider to understand or appreciate but to the initiated it is a very moving and emotional experience.
Although, Flamenco originated in Southern Spain and there are many orthodox schools in Cadiz, Córdoba, Jerez and Seville, many artists moved to larger cities, especially Madrid, in order to find a better life than in the poor Southern provinces.
Around the beginning of the 19th century a new theatrical element was introduced by such notaries as the guitarist Ramon Montoya and singers Silverio Franconetti, Manolo Caracol and Lola Flores but the purists did not welcome this development.
Although, Flamenco originated in Southern Spain and there are many orthodox schools in Cadiz, Córdoba, Jerez and Seville, many artists moved to larger cities, especially Madrid, in order to find a better life than in the poor Southern provinces.
Around the beginning of the 19th century a new theatrical element was introduced by such notaries as the guitarist Ramon Montoya and singers Silverio Franconetti, Manolo Caracol and Lola Flores but the purists did not welcome this development.