The Gypsies became the great artists of the day, inventing transforming, revising and preserving forms, from both cultures into a unique and pure art.įlamenco is a rare combination of grit and geometry, deep spirituality and eroticism, the angle and the curve.
The amalgamation of these two forms led to “official” Flamenco, with the Gypsies and the Gypsy image doing most of the work.
Within these patterns of complex rhythmic phrasing ( compas), the artists can improvise as much as they want.įinally, in the 1860s the two cultures meet in the café cantantes (the cafes where artists perform).
In fact, the rhythms of Flamenco are prescribed by specific emotions, experiences and stories: Alegrias (happiness), soleas (solitude), bulerias (making fun), siguiriyas (wailing laments). Often they were too poor to have instruments so they used their hands “clapping” ( palmas), and footwork ( zapateado). The Gypsies, however, persecuted and abused for over 300 years, under constant threat of imprisonment and death, developed a “blues” tradition which was private, personal and ritualistic. The Andalusian folk music was festive and public accompanied often by simple orchestras and percussion instruments (castanets). So Andalusian folk music and dance created the environment to which the Gypsies brought their own melting pot (since the Gypsies came originally from India, through Egypt, Turkey etc). In fact, the deep wailing of the cante jondo is probably a combination of Indian and Arab, Hebrew and Gregorian chanting. Before the Gypsies landed in Spain in the 15th century, Andalucia had a rich culture of Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and 700 years of Moorish rule. Even when Non-Gypsies were revising Flamenco forms, they took the image of the Gypsy as a central theme or claimed to be Gypsies themselves.īut, Flamenco is also the merging of two melting pots with the Gypsies at the helm. Flamenco is both Spanish and Gypsy, but despite the denial of many Spaniards, the Spanish Romanies are at its core. In fact, Flamenco literally means Flemish. No one really knows the origin of the word Flamenco (the best theory is that it comes from the defiant Flemish soldiers who had a certain posture and attitude. The three basic elements of Flamenco are : song ( cante), dance ( baile) and guitar ( guitarra). Carmen Amaya is one of their greatest exponents. But for the Romanies who settled in the Iberian Peninsula, in the 15th century, and who were persecuted over 300 years, Flamenco is a native musical language which is lived day by day. You have also the option to have individual classes or to share them with another partner to work together.Flamenco is a Classic Art and a Folk Art, which emerged officially in the 19th century as the musical tradition of Andalucia, in the South of Spain, a tradition forged by Gitanos (Gypsies, today correctly called Romanies) and non-Gypsies representing a diversity of cultures. On the other hand, the option of takin g private Flamenco dance classes, choosing the day and time in which they are implemented. On one hand, Flamenco dance classes in groups. Divided according to the different levels of the student. Within the options offered by this school we find very interesting the subcategories in which the different flamenco disciplines are divided:įrom intensive courses, to complementary training for teachers through regular classes and masterclass. Sing for bulerías or fandangos is not the same again, after having gone through Carmen Amayaĭolores Giménez, president and founder of the School, continues to be present and to develop the initial purpose with which the center was inaugurated: to bring Flamenco to everyone and to spread its foundations. Referent and inspiration for the teachers and founders of the school. This Flamenco Cultural Association, founded in 1995, was named Carmen Amaya as a tribute to the bailaora (flamenco dancer) and cantaora (flamenco singer). Another option you have to consider when choosing your perfect Flamenco School is Carmen Amaya.
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