Carlos van Tongeren, Pedro G. Romero, Ismael de la Rosa & Yerai Cortés

Flamenco in the 21st century

07 Feb 2023

Fresh perspectives on tradition and identity

20.00 lecture + debate Carlos van Tongeren, Pedro G. Romero
21.30 flamenco recital Ismael de la Rosa (vocals) & Yerai Cortés (guitar)

In flamenco, the importance of tradition, and of honouring it, is often spoken of. But what tradition are we talking about exactly? Is the meaning of the tradition, and the way in which we relate to it, the same for everyone?

Carlos van Tongeren is a lecturer in Spanish Cultural Studies and Literature at Manchester University and a flamenco guitarist. He opens the evening with the lecture ‘Flamenco in the Franco era: a new perspective on tradition’. After that, he talks to the Spanish curator, artist and writer Pedro G. Romero, who speaks about La Revolución Jonda: flamenco revolution and identity.

Following the debate is an acoustic concert from guitarist Yeraí Cortés (regular accompanist to big international stars such as Rocío Molina and Farruquito) and the talented young singer Ismael de la Rosa ‘Bolita’. These two promising young flamenco artists together recorded the album Flamenco Directo and are now making their debut in the Netherlands. They convey the soul of the old ‘gitano’ songs: impassioned, refreshing interpretations of the classic flamenco repertoire. Young and timeless, they create the raw flamenco art of today.

Flamenco in the Franco era: a fresh perspective on tradition

In the opening lecture, Carlos van Tongeren offers a fresh perspective on ‘traditional’ flamenco by exploring how this musical style developed during the almost four-decade-long regime of dictator Francisco Franco (1939-1975), a period that still causes political conflict and division in contemporary Spain. It will centre on three themes: the ‘invention’ of the folkloric ‘España de la pandereta’ (Spain of the tambourine) under Franco; the influences of Franco’s regime on the philosophy of the influential flamenco singer and idealogue Antonio Mairena; and attempts by young flamenco artists to reinvent tradition for the present day – and thus contribute to the development of new traditions.