The origins of flamenco can be traced back to the
fusion of the musical cultures of the gypsies, Jews
and Moors, persecuted by the Catholic Monarchs after
the reconquest of Granada. The gypsies infused popular
Spanish romances with a harrowing poignancy that gave
rise to a style of music that absorbed the cultures
of the time, reinterpreting them with a distinctive
intonation. However, it was not until the mid-19th
century that flamenco began to be performed in the
singing cafés that sprang up at that time,
the first in Seville in 1885.
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The tempo and rhythmic forms
of the music and the infinite combinations,
which have led to the emergence of different
styles or palos, give rise to a complex phenomenon,
with multiple variations now difficult to ascribe
to a particular social or ethnic group. |
There are many flamenco events and gatherings and
many flamenco dancing and singing schools in the city
and the surrounding towns and villages. Some of the
most important are the Biennial Flamenco Festival,
held in Seville in even years featuring the best flamenco
singers, dancers and musicians, and the shows staged
at emblematic venues, such as the Maestranza Theatre,
presenting new trends.