Camarón: reborn of flamenco

It is undeniable what did the name Camarón do for the flamenco. Only with his singing, and together with other big singers of flamenco, he constructed renovation and revolution, without ever abandoning the fundamental pillars or essence of flamenco.

He is one of the best singers of all of our times. He made the reborn of flamenco possible, when all doubted him, and just when this generation was passing through the deep crisis and giving up for lost.

Even though, the transformation was produced from the same midst and heart that makes beat the sing, its unique and passionate character never left back. In fact, for that reason it became that strong and characteristic.

His early passing away and quick presence as a big artist on the world of flamenco, made him as a unique legend giving a surname for the art, becoming impossible to identify to his huge power and being a model to follow by all the singers of flamenco in Seville.

History of Flamenco: Carmen Amaya

The flamenco was born as a folkloric representation among gypsy families in Andalusia. In particular around Guadalquivir river - Seville – Triana, Lebrija, Utrera, Cádiz, Jerez, Los Puerto.  Because of those locations we can say that the flamenco music is a sum of cultures and music of southern Andalusia. 

In the beginning, flamenco was a thing that was shared among friends and neighbors - each family or group had their own special way to perform this dance and a special form of singing. This is how different types of flamenco were born, depending on the area and the family “singer” they derive from.

One of those families which we now know as the creators of “flamenco art” is Amaya family. And one of its most important representatives  is Carmen Amaya – famous dancer and singer. Like in most of the cases Carmen learnt flamenco art on the street, performing with her family. 

Even though she started her journey with flamenco on a street, dancing with her family and neighbors she revolutionized the flamenco dance with her technique and started dancing in the most important European theatres and is now recognized not only in Europe but in America as well.

If you want to learn more about history of flamenco, click here.

Flamenco – dance of emotions

Flamenco is not an ordinary dance but an art, inextricably linked with Spain and its age-old culture. Flamenco is not just an entertainment. From centuries, by the rhythms of the dance, singing and music Andalusian gypsies expressed their emotions. Flamenco contains not only the elements of Spanish culture, but also Hindu, Jewish, Persian, Arabic, Moorish, Egyptian and medieval Gregorian chant music.

Flamenco is characterized by a remarkable power of expression. During flamenco shows spectators  almost feel the need to join the dancers, emotions and feelings are floating in the air, and every movement and every sound emphasizes the sadness, anger or joy.

Flamenco is spontaneous, pure and danced straight from the heart. There is no place for conventions and schemes. Dancers do not hide the anger, but express it with violent gestures and rhythmic hitting heels. Dancers express love by literally wrapping their partner - sometimes you can get an impression that during dance partners fight with each other and express this “war” with gestures, mimics and rhythm..

Dance in Flamenco is the most important and is still evolving under the influence of new artists. In the dance the most important elements are: body, hands and feet. These last are the most important and most characteristic for this dance. It consists of zapateado and punteado. The first is a solo tap show, the second are the steps influenced by the rhythm of a guitar. Hand movements are more expressive for women and each finger is equally important. And finally the body that performs the movements smoothly or dynamically, is sometimes  the culmination of the whole dance.

Flamenco can be danced individually – and this solo dance is the most popular among all. It’s a show that is coming from the interior of the dancer. It’s often improvised, enriched by individual interpretation by the dancer and spontaneous - not subjected to any schematic movements.