For many, this is the most important international event within the Flamenco World and to enjoy it, we are left with no other choice but to wait two years for each edition. Of course, we are talking about the Seville Flamenco Biennale which will take place from September 8 to October 2, 2016. As usual, the artist line-up is at the height of any connoisseur´s expectations, and guitar lovers will revel in a multitude of seductive activities the organization has in store for us.
The history of the Seville Flamenco Biennale is traced back to 1980 when the first edition took place between the Easter holidays and the Seville Fair (Feria de Abril) from the 6 to 12 of April. Enrique el Cojo, Rafael Romero, Mario Maya or Miguel Vargas were a few of the artists who were present at this pioneering event. The 2016 edition will be the 19th; an event that has evolved with the times in harmony with its mission to represent a diversity of tendencies, visions and perspectives that constantly develop within the flamenco world.
From September 8th on, we will have a chance to enjoy the best flamenco in venues so representative of Seville such as the Maestranza theatre, the Alameda theatre or the Lope de Vega amongst others. One of the first events we marked in our calendar following the inaugural day is the September 9th: a much expected concert featuring Rafael Riqueni named “Las campanas de Santa Ana” a retrospective of his life´s work, in the best possible company… Tomatito, Estrella Morente, Pepe Habichuela, Serranito, Gerardo Núñez and many others.
This won´t be the only opportunity to see Tomaito in this edition of the biennale; a concert in collaboration with Jorge Pardo, a flamenco flute and saxophone master will take place on September 13th. In addition to this, Tomatito will appear at the closing of the biennale on October 2, at the Maestranza theatre in “Antología del cante flamenco” along with José Mercé, Pepe Habichuela and Manuel Parrilla in what promises to be a memorable evening.
Apart from the concert along with Riqueni, Gerardo Núñez will appear in a concert on the 20th at the Teatro Central along with Flamenco Big Band. Pepe Habichuela will have his feature concert on the 25th at the cloister of the Espacio Santa Clara. His guitar will accompany the song of Rafita de Madrid, Juan Carmona's percussion and dance of Alba Heredia.
Parrita, Lole Montoya and José María Banderas, just to name a few, will accompany Juan Carmona on September 22nd in Noche Universal de Flamenco, an emotional homage to Paco de Lucía´s “Canción Andaluza” which will take place at the Real Alcazar. On the 27th we will be at the Lope de Vega theatre where Diego del Morao, the youngest representative of the Morao saga, will play along with Antonio Reyes.
These are only a few highlights of the upcoming Seville Flamenco Biennale which will also feature, amongst many others, Juan Requena, Juan Carlos Romero, Manuel Moneo, Rafael de Utrera, Manuel Valencia, Antonio Canales…
Check out the full program and save the dates in your fall agenda for these hard to miss recitals.
