Tribute to Fosforito. Córdoba Year of Flamenco. Manuela Carrasco/Javier Latorre. Gran Teatro Córdoba

Tribute
to Antonio Fernández Díaz “Fosforito”

The best anniversary of all

1st part. Dance: Rocío Molina, Fuensanta “La
Moneta”, Daniel Navarro, Nani Paños. Cante: Antonio
Campos. Guitar: Juan Requena. 2nd part
Dance: Manuela Carrasco, Barullo, Torombo. Guest artist: Manuel
Molina. Cante: Enrique “El Extremeño”,
Antonio Zúñiga, La Tobala, Samara Amador.
Guitar: Pedro Sierra, Miguel Iglesia. Percussion: José
Carrasco

Text: Estela Zatania
Photos: José Carlos Nievas Muñoz

It’s the “Year of Flamenco”, and
by extension, the year of Córdoba, but above all, it’s
the year of Fosforito, and flamenco followers are commemorating
the event with numerous activities and presentations. The
old maestro who won flamenco immortality when he received
the last of only five Llaves de Oro del Cante (golden key
to cante) in a hundred and fifty years, who one half-century
ago made a clean sweep of all the first prizes at the first
Córdoba contest, last night celebrated, in his own
words, “the best anniversary of all”.

Fifty years and two days after that spectacular achievement,
the city of Córdoba chose to show its gratitude to
the maestro citing “his lengthy career, an example
of sacrifice and wisdom, which has left a historic mark on
these last 50 years of flamenco. Antonio Fernández
Díaz, Fosforito, Llave de Oro del Cante, has contributed
to elevating it to the category of high art. For his tremendous
versatility, his sincerity and his profound knowledge of flamenco,
Fosforito, inspired and irreplaceable, made a grand entrance
to cante, and Córdoba opens its doors and its heart
wide to him, forever and always”.

A new, more dignified image for
flamenco singers

Manolo Sanlúcar, Serranito, Mario Maya, Carmen Linares
and many others showed up to help celebrate this important
anniversary. When Fosforito began his long voyage through
flamenco, Spain was still struggling to overcome the aftermath
of the Spanish civil war, so-called “cante bonito”
was the order of the day all over the country and traditional
cante was the domain of the rich and of smoke-filled back
rooms, poorly paid and poorly considered.

Singer Calixto Sánchez offered an eloquent profile
of the maestro. He ran down the most important achievements
of Fosforito’s career pointing out that the singer was
the guardian and protector of a relic called Antonio Mairena.
The man who today is harshly criticized for his excessive
gypsy leanings, enjoyed the promotion, admiration and sincere
friendship of the most famous non-gypsy singer of our time,
and between Mairena and Fosforito a new, more dignified image
of flamenco singers was cultivated.

In addition to Calixto, Rosa Aguilar, mayor of Córdoba
had words of praise and Luis Rodríguez, the cultural
representative, read the official announcement of the results
of the historic contest. But the most moving moment was when
Fosforito himself took the mike to express his gratitude:
“I started being ‘Fosforito’ in Córdoba…I
chose the path that seemed the most appropriate at the time
and I guess I got it right or we wouldn’t be here tonight”.

The formalities were preceded and followed by two splendid
shows. In the first part, some of Spain’s best young
dancers offered a presentation choreographed specially for
the occasion by Javier Latorre with Rocío Molina, Daniel
Navarro and Fuensanta la Moneta, three recognized stars, with
the collaboration of the excellent Cordoban dancer Nani Paños.
The recorded voice of Fosforito singing martinete opens the
show reminding us all of that young singer with the powerful
voice. The four dancers interpret their solo dances and Daniel
Navarro, winner at the 2001 Córdoba contest, is especially
inspired tonight. His placid style contradicts all the clichés
about flamenco dance and demonstrates how elegant it can be.
Also noteworthy is the soleá apolá danced by
Rocío Molina to the projected image and voice of Fosforito
with guitarist Enrique de Melchor, and Fuensanta’s taranto
recalling the movements of Carmen Amaya, the first person
to dance this mining cante. The finale of verdiales and fandangos
de Lucena, cantes popularized by Fosforito, was a perfect
jewel, reaching some frankly memorable moments with a form
that receives too little attention.

A half-century of flamenco
and the triumph of one of its most important figures

The second part was the complete show of Manuela Carrasco
who won at Córdoba in 1974. “Un Sorbito de lo
Sublime” is the umbrella title for a tablao-style show,
in the best sense of the word, where each member of the group
has a solo spot. The inclusion of Barullo, third eldest of
the Farrucos, was a new twist. Farruquito and Farruco, the
two older dancers, were both in the audience, but the younger
dancer seemed unable to find himself without the family backing
him up. Special mention for the guitar department headed by
the exceptional Pedro Sierra.

A memorable night, moving and well-prepared, to celebrate
a half-century of flamenco and the triumph of one of its most
important figures.

More information:
Fosforito
Special