Despite its popularity with tourists, Seville retained its old world charm with Mediterranean and has a solid reputation among travelers for lively parties, fascinating historical treasures and some of the best tapas you could hope to experience in Spain. But Sevilla influence on Spanish culture as it is known today extends far beyond architecture and chorizo. This ancient city reveals the evolution of one of the largest arts and iconic worldwide known Spanish flamenco, and while today it can be enjoyed virtually anywhere in Spain, it is in Seville you have the best chance to experience this art form at its purist.
Stirring, emotional and expressive, flamenco is a style of dance or song, or instruments, but a merger of all three together. It is an art form more than 200 years, which is still popular today, telling the stories of Spanish history through dance, song and guitar. Historians argue about the exact point in history when music was evolving in flamenco has emerged, but what remains a certainty is that it happened in southern Spain, in the Andalusian region of Seville, which remains today the center.
At first he started with the song. It was the voice of the persecuted Gypsy community in southern Spain, which came about during the late 1400s from India and Africa. Upon their arrival, and in particular the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition, shortly after, the gypsies as a race has suffered greatly. Accused of witchcraft and dishonesty, they distrusted, and therefore discriminated against by the larger community. They were unable to find work, own land or integrate into society. They lived a secular existence, and met them socially. Late at night, members of the collection would sing songs of lamentation and grief, expressing the difficulties of life they face and the desperation they felt.
Each song has been transmitted orally from generation to generation, without the prior written music and performed individually by each performer. Over time, the singer would later be accompanied by the sound of a guitar, the movements of a dancer, or both. The subject of the songs gradually expanded to include themes such as love, death and celebration, even politics and humor, the development of flamenco styles that exist today. musical influences from Arabic, Jewish and even the local Andalusian culture has gradually become part of the sound. What began as a voice, was later thickened by the sound of the guitar, the movements of a dancer accompaniment, and later, the applause from the audience, which accentuates the rhythm of the music.
In truth, flamenco is an experience not to be missed, and if your itinerary includes a trip to Seville, you're likely to find a range of options that can help you discover the magic and emotion of the experience. A visit to the Museum of Flamenco Dance (Museo de Baile Flamenco) is a good place to start learning about the history of dance. Open from 9:00 to 7:00 p.m., visitors have the chance to see a collection of audio and visual presentations, permanent exhibitions, and teaching studios, spread over three floors of this multi-million dollar opened in 2006. They have seasonal performances in the evenings during summer, or you can attend courses and workshops that run throughout the year.
Those interested in dinner and drinking with performances of flamenco could verify El tablao Los Gallos in Plaza Santa Cruz, for 20 euros including drinks. Or El Arenal Flamenco Tablao near the arena in a restored 17th century building. They offer shows with or without dinner from 30 euros. There are many bars that offer flamenco evenings, sometimes even for free. They are a great way to discover flamenco without having to pay more than what you drink. You can choose to attend a music or dance only. There are many bars in the old part of town like El Tamboril Carboneria or La in Santa Cruz.
Every 2 years, the Biennial of Flamenco Festival is held in Seville, attracting artists from all over Spain and tourists from around the world. The next show is scheduled for 2008, usually around September. Those who are fortunate enough to attend a live, impromptu performance, late at night in a smoky bar on the outskirts of the city are likely to find a moving experience, as close to traditional flamenco you can get. The idea that flamenco is nothing beyond the theatrical performance of flamboyant colors and dance could not be further from the truth. Real Flamenco is not only heard but seen by the public. Some say that flamenco can not be seen, but must instead be felt. Experience of communication between artists and audience. A conversation through music.
Stirring, emotional and expressive, flamenco is a style of dance or song, or instruments, but a merger of all three together. It is an art form more than 200 years, which is still popular today, telling the stories of Spanish history through dance, song and guitar. Historians argue about the exact point in history when music was evolving in flamenco has emerged, but what remains a certainty is that it happened in southern Spain, in the Andalusian region of Seville, which remains today the center.
At first he started with the song. It was the voice of the persecuted Gypsy community in southern Spain, which came about during the late 1400s from India and Africa. Upon their arrival, and in particular the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition, shortly after, the gypsies as a race has suffered greatly. Accused of witchcraft and dishonesty, they distrusted, and therefore discriminated against by the larger community. They were unable to find work, own land or integrate into society. They lived a secular existence, and met them socially. Late at night, members of the collection would sing songs of lamentation and grief, expressing the difficulties of life they face and the desperation they felt.
Each song has been transmitted orally from generation to generation, without the prior written music and performed individually by each performer. Over time, the singer would later be accompanied by the sound of a guitar, the movements of a dancer, or both. The subject of the songs gradually expanded to include themes such as love, death and celebration, even politics and humor, the development of flamenco styles that exist today. musical influences from Arabic, Jewish and even the local Andalusian culture has gradually become part of the sound. What began as a voice, was later thickened by the sound of the guitar, the movements of a dancer accompaniment, and later, the applause from the audience, which accentuates the rhythm of the music.
In truth, flamenco is an experience not to be missed, and if your itinerary includes a trip to Seville, you're likely to find a range of options that can help you discover the magic and emotion of the experience. A visit to the Museum of Flamenco Dance (Museo de Baile Flamenco) is a good place to start learning about the history of dance. Open from 9:00 to 7:00 p.m., visitors have the chance to see a collection of audio and visual presentations, permanent exhibitions, and teaching studios, spread over three floors of this multi-million dollar opened in 2006. They have seasonal performances in the evenings during summer, or you can attend courses and workshops that run throughout the year.
Those interested in dinner and drinking with performances of flamenco could verify El tablao Los Gallos in Plaza Santa Cruz, for 20 euros including drinks. Or El Arenal Flamenco Tablao near the arena in a restored 17th century building. They offer shows with or without dinner from 30 euros. There are many bars that offer flamenco evenings, sometimes even for free. They are a great way to discover flamenco without having to pay more than what you drink. You can choose to attend a music or dance only. There are many bars in the old part of town like El Tamboril Carboneria or La in Santa Cruz.
Every 2 years, the Biennial of Flamenco Festival is held in Seville, attracting artists from all over Spain and tourists from around the world. The next show is scheduled for 2008, usually around September. Those who are fortunate enough to attend a live, impromptu performance, late at night in a smoky bar on the outskirts of the city are likely to find a moving experience, as close to traditional flamenco you can get. The idea that flamenco is nothing beyond the theatrical performance of flamboyant colors and dance could not be further from the truth. Real Flamenco is not only heard but seen by the public. Some say that flamenco can not be seen, but must instead be felt. Experience of communication between artists and audience. A conversation through music.