Esperanza Fernández Jueves Flamencos CAJASOL Sevilla

Cante: Esperanza Fernández; Guitar: Miguel Ángel Cortes; Palmas and percussion: Jorge Pérez, José Fernández and Miguelito.

Text: Gonzalo Montaño Peña
Photos: Remedios Malvarez

The Thursday flamenco series sponsored by Cajasol began this year’s season with a recital by Seville singer Esperanza Fernández, who has achieved importance thanks to her knowledge and command of the cantes, but also because of her versatility and ability to take her flamenco voice to seldom-traveled terrain for a cantaora.

A recital of an hour and a half is not typical for this kind of show, however the wisdom and love of flamenco this singer has allow her to offer a wide musical panorama, and show she has plenty of stylistic tricks up her sleeve.  Ten cantes, and a virtual trip from the east of Spain to Cádiz.

But it was in the malagueña, taranto and alegrías where the singer shined brightest, coming up with details of great beauty with the collaboration of Miguel Ángel Cortés’ guitar, sublime in the accompaniment.  He played with dissonances in the chords, and the tonal precision of the voice, yielding a rich counterpoint.  This pair of artists has reached a level of understanding and characteristic sound based on equilibrium and personality.

It’s an exercise in the defense and recuperation of certain nearly obsolete cantes such as mariana and petenera.

To close the recital, Esperanza interpreted tangos de Triana and siguiriyas, and stood up at the mike for bulerías with her characteristic power and command.

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