Seville Flamenco

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.

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.