Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT FLAMENCO
With our annual Flamenco Festival set to return this July, discover 10 things you may not already know about this unique art-form! Over 2 weeks this summer, many incredible performances will take to the stage, showcasing a variety of styles from the most talented companies and artists.
1. It is widely believed that flamenco actually originates from India!
2. Flamenco dance is called baile, while a flamenco dancer is known as a bailaor (male) or bailaora (female).
3. The typical flamenco outfit is called the Traje de Flamenca. Dresses are said to have a guitar shaped body, to enhance a woman’s figure. Heels are an essential and range from 4 – 7cm in height. They can also have special nails in the soul to enhance their sound.
4. ‘Duende’ is a term in flamenco that is considered difficult to define. It is used to describe the ‘soul’ of flamenco and a heightened sense of emotion that overtakes you. The term is also known as an elf or goblin-like creature in Spanish mythology where it is derived from.
5. Palos, which also means stick or branch, refers to the different styles of Flamenco. There are more than 50 different styles or palos, from Alegrías to Bulerías!
6. Castanets are not part of traditional flamenco; they are an element that has been added to enhance the finger snapping. These wooden percussion instruments are more than 3,000 years old and over time have become an iconic symbol of Spanish Flamenco.
7. Flamenco is made up of four elements, Cante (Voice), Baile (Dance), Toque (Guitar), and the Jaleo, which roughly translated means ‘hell raising’ and involves the handclapping, foot stomping, and shouts of encouragement.
8. Silverio Franconetti Aguila, born in Seville in 1831, is considered a legendary singer of flamenco and opened the famous Café Silverios. It became known as the top ‘Café Cantante’ in Spain during a golden age of flamenco, where he invited only the most talented singers to perform and promoted only the purest forms of the art.
9. The Cajón is another popular percussion instrument, originating from Peru, sometimes used in Flamenco performances. Legendary Spanish Flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía discovered the cajón during one of his tours in America in the late 1970s and described the sound as “restrained to flamenco.”
10. From 1920 to 1955, many flamenco shows took place in bullrings and theatres and became known as ‘Opera Flamenca.’ One reason why this name became popular was because opera paid much lower rates of tax than flamenco shows so was more economical.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
Comments
Post a Comment